Sonographic Evaluation of Vascular Injuries

This article reviews the role of color Doppler duplex sonography (CDDS) in the diagnosis of vascular trauma, illustrating the sonographic appearances of peripheral and central arterial and venous injuries, procedure-related and trauma-related injuries. Different types of vascular injuries are discussed and examination techniques are described. Traumatic vascular lesions of the extremities, neck, and abdomen were chosen to illustrate the spectrum of sonographic appearances. CDDS is a rapid, noninvasive and accurate technique in the evaluation and diagnosis of vascular injuries and, when possible, should be the first-line examination. However, in cases of extensive skin wounds, subcutaneous air, cast, and life-threatening lesions, CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography are the examinations of choice.