Ultrasound is widely used for assessment of neurovascular disease, mainly during the subacute or chronic phases of cerebral ischaemia. The availability of aggressive and potentially harmful treatments for acute ischaemic stroke demands fast, and noninvasive examination of the intracranial vasculature. Current ultrasound techniques have the potential to provide essential information about the intracranial arteries in acute stroke. Application of echo-enhancing agents promises to effectively extend current techniques. The clinical significance of sonography in acute stroke needs to be evaluated prospectively and compared with other radiological techniques.