Neurosonology encompasses ultrasound-based evaluation of the nervous system, including transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies of intracranial arteries, neonatal brain imaging through the fontanelle, and carotid duplex examination. It bridges neurology, vascular sonography, and neonatal imaging.
Sonographers and technologists performing TCD studies monitor blood flow velocities in the middle, anterior, and posterior cerebral arteries as well as the basilar artery. Applications include sickle cell disease screening, vasospasm detection after subarachnoid hemorrhage, right-to-left shunt assessment, and cerebral autoregulation monitoring. Neonatal head sonography through the anterior fontanelle identifies germinal matrix hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and ventriculomegaly.
Credentialing typically falls under ARDMS Vascular Technology (RVT) for TCD work, or the Neonatal Head specialty within RDMS for brain imaging. Neurosonologists work in neurology departments, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), cerebrovascular labs, and stroke centers.