What two types of images are typically generated using Doppler ultrasound?

Doppler ultrasound is primarily used to assess blood flow and can generate specific types of images that effectively visualize this movement. Color flow images and spectral waveforms are the two types generated during Doppler examinations.

Color flow images are useful for visualizing the direction and velocity of blood flow within vessels. This imaging technique displays blood flow in various colors, typically red for flow towards the transducer and blue for flow away from it. This color mapping allows for immediate interpretation of blood flow dynamics across different regions.

Spectral waveforms, on the other hand, provide a detailed graphical representation of blood flow velocity over time at a specific site. This waveform displays how the velocity of blood flow changes, allowing for the assessment of various cardiovascular conditions such as stenosis or valvular insufficiencies.

These two imaging types complement each other by providing both qualitative and quantitative data regarding blood flow, making them essential tools in vascular sonography.