Evaluation of the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque with contrast-enhanced ultrasound

J Med Ultrason (2001). 2016 Jan;43(1):71-6. doi: 10.1007/s10396-015-0647-z. Epub 2015 Jul 7.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods: CEUS images of 93 patients were evaluated to observe new vessels within CAPs. Microembolic signals (MES) were detected using transcranial Doppler (TCD). Thirty-four patients with hyperechoic plaques were evaluated as the control group.

Results: Eighty percent (75/93) of plaques showed contrast enhancement on CEUS, including 50.7% (38/75) of hypoechoic plaques and 49.3% (37/75) of mixed echoic plaques. No plaques in the control group showed enhancement on CEUS. With TCD, 35.5% (33/93) of patients were positive for MES. Plaques with grade 2 or 3 enhancement on CEUS had a higher positive rate for MES. Forty-one patients with grade 2 or 3 enhancement on CEUS presented with fresh infarctions confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Conclusions: In conclusion, grade 2 or 3 contrast enhancement observed on CEUS indicated vulnerable plaques.

Keywords: Carotid atheromatous plaque; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS); Microembolus signal (MES); Neovascularization; Transcranial Doppler (TCD).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / pathology
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / physiopathology
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / pathology
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media