TCD for Children with SCD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Extracranial carotid stenosis and cerebral emboli detection in children with Sickle Cell Disease
IRAS ID
233545
Contact name
Carl Tiivas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UHCW NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Children with Sickle Cell Disease are at a higher risk of stroke, where the brain is damaged because it receives too little oxygen. There are several different possible causes of stroke in Sickle Cell Disease. One of these paths, which has not yet been thoroughly researched, is the possibility of small blood clots getting stuck in the blood vessels that supply the brain. These blood clots can be detected using a technique called ‘transcranial Doppler,’ or TCD for short. TCD is a type of ultrasound scan – it uses sound waves at a higher frequency than the human ear can detect. Ultrasound is considered to be a safe technique when used sensibly and at a low power – as is the case for TCD.
This study will ask participants to sit through a 30 minute TCD scan where ultrasound probes are temporarily fixed to each side of the participant’s head. In addition to this, a normal ultrasound scan will be performed on each side of the participant’s neck. This second ultrasound scan will look at the main blood vessels supplying the brain – the carotid and vertebral arteries – to see if there are any narrowed sections. Narrowed sections in the carotid arteries are known to be more likely to help form and release blood clots that travel towards the brain.
This study could prove useful by increasing the understanding of how stroke is caused in Sickle Cell Disease. Whilst there will be no immediate benefit to participants, the results of this study may go on to inform future research into therapies for Sickle Cell Disease – though this isn’t guaranteed.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0369
Date of REC Opinion
2 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion