Ovarian Doppler Waveforms

A Quick Look At Ovarian Doppler Waveforms

The following ovarian artery Doppler waveform would be indicative of what type of finding? 

The answer is ABNORMAL FINDING - but why? Let's take a quick look at the Doppler waveform and what makes it abnormal. 

The image reveals a low resistive waveform and is indicative of an abnormal ovarian Doppler finding. This can often be associated with Ovarian Torsion.

When a blood vessel has a LOW RESISTIVE Doppler waveform appearance, this is due to the need for extra flow. Vascular beds that require a higher blood supply show these low resistive waveforms on spectral Doppler. This means that the waveform has a high diastolic component, indicating constant flow throughout diastole. This is common for vessels that supply muscles when you're working out, or the stomach and intestines when you've just eaten, or for the vessels that supply the brain and vital organs. 

However when a blood vessel shows LOW RESISTIVE characteristics for an organ that usually doesn't require a constant level of blood supply, this is a key marker that something isn't right and usually indicates stenosis. Blockage in the vessel will cause the vessel to become low resistive in order to compensate for the lack of flow. 

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