Vascular Ultrasound Clinic
The locations of the ultrasound services can be found at:
1. Our Gregory hills clinic – the Southwest Sydney vascular laboratory (SWVL)
2. Our Wollongong clinic –Illawara vascular ultrasound (IVU)
3. The R Clinic in Canberra.
Experienced vascular surgeon Dr Jason Toniolo reviews all scans and reports on each ultrasound that is performed. His team of vascular specialists use this non-invasive test to precisely map blood flow through arteries and veins using high-frequency sound waves that bounce off circulating red blood cells.
A standard ultrasound can produce images of veins and arteries, but it does not show the speed or direction of blood flow like a Doppler ultrasound can.
The Duplex imaging system we use is an advanced form of ultrasound because it combines Doppler analysis (to assess blood flow) with B-Mode ultrasound imaging (to visualize structures), providing a comprehensive evaluation of vascular conditions.
This is particularly useful when diagnosing and monitoring:
– Venous conditions such as varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and chronic venous insufficiency
– Arterial conditions such as narrowed or blocked arteries (stenosis), aneurysms, and arterial plaque buildup
Ultrasound involves no radiation and helps identify blockages (stenosis), blood clots (DVT), narrowing of vessels, and varicose veins.
In veins, blockages are usually caused by thrombosis, whereas in arteries, they are often due to atherosclerosis or plaque buildup.
What Conditions Do You Scan for at AVC’s Illawarra Vascular Ultrasound or South West Vascular Ultrasound?
– All arterial diseases (narrowing of the abdominal, leg, neck, kidney, small bowel, and large bowel vessels)
– Venous conditions, including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and venous insufficiency
– The only organ not scanned is the heart, as this is typically assessed by a cardiologist
– A standard ultrasound produces images of veins and arteries but does not measure blood flow speed or direction.
– A Doppler ultrasound assesses blood movement and velocity, making it essential for diagnosing vascular conditions.
– A Duplex ultrasound is an advanced combination of Doppler analysis and B-mode imaging, providing a detailed vascular assessment.
This technology is particularly useful in detecting:
✅ Blood clots (DVT)
✅ Poorly functioning valves in veins
✅ Arterial blockages (stenosis)
✅ Plaque buildup and aneurysms
Pros:
✅ No fasting is required, unless it’s an abdominal or pelvic scan—in which case, fasting is required from midnight the night before. Patients with diabetes should contact us for fasting instructions.
✅ No radiation exposure
✅ No needles or anesthesia required
✅ No contrast dye, making it safer for patients with kidney concerns
✅ Quick and non-invasive assessment of vascular health
Cons:
❌ Limited in detecting very small vessel disease
❌ May require additional imaging (e.g., CT angiography or MRI) for complex arterial conditions and some complicated deep venous conditions of the pelvic region.
You should arrive 10-20 minutes before your appointment.
Most vascular ultrasounds take 30 to 45 minutes.
During the procedure, you will lie on an examination table, and a non-toxic gel will be applied to your skin while a probe is placed over the area being examined.
Ultrasound is an essential tool for diagnosing and managing both arterial and venous conditions, providing safe, effective, and detailed vascular assessments.