A carotid ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the carotid arteries—the major blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain. And the vertebral arteries. This scan helps detect narrowing, blockages, or plaque buildup, which can increase your risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Why You Might Need a Carotid Ultrasound

Your doctor may recommend a carotid ultrasound if you:

• Have had a stroke or mini-stroke (TIA)

• Experience dizziness, vision problems, or sudden weakness

• Have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol

• Have a family history of stroke or heart disease

• Are preparing for cardiac surgery

• Have been told you have a carotid bruit (an abnormal sound in the neck)

What to Expect During the Scan

• We are conveniently located in Hamilton East

• The scan takes about 20–30 minutes

• You’ll lie on a bed while a sonographer applies a warm gel to your neck

• A small handheld device (transducer) is moved over your skin to capture images

• You may hear whooshing sounds as the blood flow is assessed using Doppler ultrasound

• The procedure is painless, radiation-free, and requires no special preparation

A temporal artery ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive scan used to assess the temporal arteries—the blood vessels located on either side of your forehead. This test is commonly used to help diagnose giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, a condition that causes inflammation of the arteries and can lead to serious complications like vision loss or stroke if not treated promptly. Our clinic is conveniently located at 529 Grey Street, Hamilton East

An abdominal aortic ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive scan used to assess the abdominal aorta—the main artery that carries blood from your heart to the lower part of your body. This scan is most commonly used to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a potentially serious condition where the artery becomes enlarged and may rupture if left untreated.

A mesenteric artery ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test used to assess the blood flow to your abdominal organs, including the intestines, stomach, liver, and spleen. This scan helps detect narrowing, blockages, or reduced blood flow in the mesenteric arteries, which can be a sign of mesenteric ischemia—a condition that may cause abdominal pain and digestive issues, especially after eating.

A renal artery ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive scan that uses sound waves to assess the renal arteries—the blood vessels that supply your kidneys. This test is commonly used to detect renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of the arteries that can lead to high blood pressure or kidney dysfunction if left untreated.

At Avanti Ultrasound, we provide specialised imaging for patients who have undergone liver or kidney (renal) transplants. These ultrasound scans are essential for monitoring the health of the transplanted organ, detecting complications early, and supporting long-term transplant success.