Doppler ultrasound of the superficial temporal arteries
Temporal artery Doppler ultrasound in Casablanca
This ultrasound exam, combined with Doppler, studies the arteries located under the skin of the temples. It is mainly requested when giant cell arteritis (Horton's disease) is suspected, an inflammation of the arteries that most often occurs after age 50. The ultrasound shows the thickness of the wall of each artery, and the Doppler shows the blood flowing inside it. With no X-rays and no needle, the exam complements your doctor's assessment and your blood tests, without replacing them, and can be repeated to follow the effect of treatment.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
Examining the temples, and the armpits if needed, most often takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
GE & Hitachi
Contact the center
This exam is booked by phone or WhatsApp.
When is this exam needed?
- Recent and unusual headaches after age 50.
- Scalp that is painful to the touch or when combing your hair.
- Jaw pain when chewing.
- Fever, fatigue or unexplained inflammation in blood tests.
- Temple artery that is hard, swollen or no longer pulses under the finger.
- Painful stiffness of the shoulders and hips in the morning, when involvement of the arteries is being looked for.
How the exam is done
Sitting or lying down, you turn your head to one side, then to the other. With a little gel on your temple, the doctor follows the artery and its branches, pressing very lightly so as not to compress it. The doctor parts your hair to follow the branch that runs toward the forehead and the one that rises toward the top of the head.
The arteries in the armpits are often examined too, with your arm held out to the side. For this part, your upper body is uncovered. The doctor compares the right and left sides, because the inflammation does not always affect the arteries in the same way. Once the gel has been wiped from your hair and skin, you go home with no restrictions.
Preparation
- Tie back long hair and remove your glasses and earrings.
- Tell us if you have already started cortisone, and the date you started it.
- Never delay the prescribed cortisone in order to wait for the exam.
- Wear a top that is easy to remove, for the armpit examination.
Fasting
No fasting: eat and drink normally.
Contrast injection
No injection; Doppler is enough to study the blood flow.
Contraindications and precautions
- No contraindication related to ultrasound.
- Sudden loss of vision or double vision: this is an emergency, seek medical care without waiting for the exam.
- Wound, scab or irritation of the scalp near the temples: tell us about it, and the probe will be placed gently.
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication: it does not interfere with the exam; do not stop it.
Documents to bring
- Doctor's prescription
- Recent blood tests (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP)
- Current cortisone prescription, if applicable
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
Price and insurance coverage
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Why have the exam quickly?
Cortisone erases some of the visible signs within a few days. The exam is therefore done early, but without ever delaying the prescribed treatment.
What is the radiologist looking for?
A “halo”: a thickening of the artery wall caused by inflammation, sometimes with a narrowing. Its absence does not always rule out the disease.
Does the exam replace a biopsy of the artery?
Sometimes. Depending on the results and your symptoms, your doctor decides whether a biopsy (a small sample of the artery) is still useful.
Why examine the armpits?
Giant cell arteritis sometimes affects larger arteries, such as those in the armpits, even when the temples look normal.
Does the exam hurt if my scalp is tender?
No. The probe is placed without pressing, even on an area that is painful to the touch. Only the gel, cold and a little sticky in your hair, may come as a surprise.
What happens after the exam?
The radiologist interprets the images, then your doctor decides on the next steps with you: starting or continuing cortisone, a biopsy of the artery or another exam.