Evaluation of blood flow in superficial arteries of face by Doppler ultrasound in young adults

Abstract

Acknowledgement: Knowledge of vascular hemodynamics of a particular region is essential to draw a fine line between normal and a pathological state. Face is highly vascular and little is known about normal blood flow characteristics of its superficial arteries. Thus there is a need to assess the normal blood flow characteristics of the face and to establish a normative database. This may later be helpful in planning of aesthetic procedures, face reconstruction following trauma or during surgery and in follow up examination of many skin diseases.To evaluate the blood flow of superficial arteries of face by Doppler ultrasound in young adults. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and University Ultrasound Clinic Green Town, Lahore. Data was collected according to inclusion criteria. Sample size of 311 patients were included in this research comprising 112 (36%) females and 199(63.9%) were males. Data entry and analysis was done by using SPSS version-23. Results: Analysis of data showed that out of 311 patients 112 (36%) females and 199(63.9%) were males, According to the result analysis of the total number of 311 patients, facial artery had a mean diameter of 1.4 mm ( 0.14cm) and diameter of temporal artery at tragus  was calculated 1.5mm ( 0.15cm) with SD 0.2. Facial and temporal artery average PSV among individuals was 26.8 ± 5.3 and 35.2 ± 11.9 respectively.  Average RI value of facial artery was 0.81± 0.05 mm and for temporal was 1.0  ± 0.8 mm . Conclusion: The facial and temporal artery can be assessed on Doppler ultrasound for velocity and resistance parameters. No significant difference was seen in the parameters between males and females.