Carotid Artery Ultrasound Scan?

[BrainyJanie]

Good evening

Could anyone tell me if they were sent for a Ultrasound scan prior to an MRI?

My consultant said he was sending me for an urgent MRI and Radiography have downgraded it to Ultrasound first? I have no symptoms or medical history (diabetes, smoker, hypertension etc) that would point towards my Pulsatile Tinnitus being caused by this.

Wasn't sure if this was the usual first course of action?

(I have unilateral hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus and balance problems)

Many thanks in advance

Jane

[flappers]

Hi. Nope, never heard of this being something radiology can do, after the request being for an MRI! MRI was requested by my gp after sudden onset of single sided screaming tinnitus. No other symptoms at that point. This was in 2020 though and it seems GP’s can no longer even request them, has to come from a consultant, which yours did. My understanding is only an MRI can pick up these squatters, and often one with contrast is then needed to check the finer details. I hope you don’t have to wait to long to get to the bottom of the cause of your issues, although it is fair to say ANs are rarely the cause. 💐

[BrainyJanie in reply to flappers]

Thanks for the reply ..

I know .. it did seem odd as they’ve no reason to think I’m high risk for have plaque etc ..

I called and asked as I’d been told an MRI and they said they didn’t have space I think she said and it’d have to be with contrast. So they’d bounced it back to the consultant and now were doing this first. Only factor that matches is age : I’m 57 Have historically low BP and 2.8 cholesterol

Overall the treatment since I went for a hearing test in May 23 and she asked why I hadn’t been to my GP and gave me a letter to ask him to refer me. She seemed concerned and even asked me to let her know the outcome which I thought was unusual. So far it’s been bounced about and I’ve only just seen a consultant in January and he said he’d request an urgent (his words) MRI It’s radiography who’s downgraded it I believe.

I’m hoping whatever they do comes back clear, but I just want a definitive answer for peace of mind.

I used to train and run marathons up until about 18 months ago when I had to stop, so I’m fairly healthy and look after myself .. I’ve sort of worked thru everything it could be : deficiencies etc The tinnitus is overwhelming at times and although I’ve been given hearing aids, my hearing is still poor. It’s now the balance issues that are becoming a bother ☹️

I looked on this forum when looking for anything comparable

J