title: Micro-bubble transcranial Doppler ultrasound for exclusion of right-to-left circulatory shunts: why should we provide the service?
abstract: Micro-bubble transcranial Doppler ultrasound is a study used for the identification and quantification of a right-to-left circulatory shunt which can be implicated in stroke. It is an underused technique in many centres. Micro-bubble transcranial Doppler ultrasound is non-invasive, innocuous, quick and requires no fasting or sedation. Published literature also suggests almost perfect concordance with transoesophageal echocardiography and potentially greater sensitivity. We believe there is a great potential for neuroradiologists to provide this service as part of the diagnostic workup in patients with cryptogenic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Intervention and Imaging Service of WA (NIISwa), Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Albert H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Elvie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haluszkiewicz
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McAuliffe
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D045423:Microbubbles; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: foramen ovale; heart septal defect; neuroradiology; stroke; ultrasonography