US Ankle/Brachial Pressure Index (Ultrasound)

Hi NSS,

Thank you for getting in touch. I can see that you have used our forums before and I hope you have found them to be useful. My name’s Lindsey and I’m one of the cancer information nurses on the support line.

I’m sorry to hear that your letter has made you worried. I will explain about the appointment you have been given.

If your core biopsy shows either a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or Bowens disease, the doctor will need to do another operation to make sure all of the BCC or Bowens disease Is taken away. They will also remove the surrounding area of healthy tissue to make sure all the cancer cells have been removed. This is called a wide local excision (WLE).

Sometimes the doctor removes a large area of skin.To repair this you might need a skin graft.

To make sure a skin graft takes and heals, it needs a good blood supply. A brachial pressure index ultrasound measures the blood pressure in the ankles. This is a way of checking that your circulation (blood flow) is normal.

We can only give general information. You can contact your skin team to confirm what the next steps are for you. If you do not have a contact number, ring the hospital switch board and ask to speak to your consultant’s secretary. Ask them for the telephone number for the specialist nurse in the team so you can discuss your concerns with them.

Kind Regards,

Lindsey

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or email us.

Ref: Lrob/FP

Hi Lindsey, thank you so much for the information.  Very useful and I now understand what this ultrasound is for.