What is the typical purpose of performing a Doppler ultrasound?

The primary purpose of performing a Doppler ultrasound is to measure blood flow and detect blockages within blood vessels. This technique utilizes the Doppler effect, which involves the change in frequency of sound waves as they reflect off moving objects, such as red blood cells. By analyzing these frequency shifts, a sonographer can assess the speed and direction of blood flow, identify abnormalities such as stenosis (narrowing) or occlusions (blockages) in the vessels, and evaluate conditions like deep vein thrombosis or arterial diseases.

While evaluating the size of tumors, assessing internal organ structure, and visualizing muscle movement are important aspects of medical imaging, they do not fall under the primary focus of Doppler ultrasound. Doppler specifically excels at dynamic assessments of vascular function, making it a crucial tool in diagnosing vascular conditions, ensuring that it stands out from imaging techniques that might focus on static structures or different modalities.