The Evaluation Of Ultrasound Imagings Of Carotid Atherosclerosis Plaque In Patients With Cerebral Infarction

Objective:To illustrate the relationship between cerebral infarction and carotid artery intimal plaque and to provide some analysis methods for early warning cerebral ischemic stroke, we detected the carotid artery plaque in patients with cerebral infarction and non infarction by Color Doppler Ultrasound (CDUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The characteristics of acoustic image and neovascularization of two groups was analyzed and compared.Methods:1.56primary cerebral infarction cases confirmed after CT or MRI scan in Baogang hospital from January2012to October2013underwent the testing of carotid artery plaque by ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The CT or MRI confirmed that no cerebral infarction patients total52cases as the control group.2. CDUS was applicated to detect carotid stenosis, carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), and acoustic characteristics of plaque (size, shape, echo intensity etc.) in two groups.3. CEUS was performed to observe the angiogenesis in plaque by strength contrast enhancement.4. The acoustic image characteristics of two groups were compared and analyzed by the Acoustic quantification analysis softwareResults:1. CDUS can devide carotid artery plaque into soft plaque (low echo) and hard plaque (echogenic), and measure accurately the carotid artery lesion index (vascular stenosis and the degree of IMT).2. CEUS can display and measure the neovascularization of plaque with contrast enhanced classification and contrast-enhanced strength.3. Severe stenosis rate in cerebral infarction group (>70%) were higher than those in the control group.4. IMT thickening and soft plaque (low echo plaques) were more likely detected in cerebral infarction group.5.Contrast enhanced classification and contrast enhanced strength in cerebral infarction group were higher than those in the control group.Conclusion:CDUS and CEUS are not only suitable for clinical screening for high-risk patients because it can be observation of neovascularization and vulnerability assessment in carotid artery plaque but also can be used as an effective monitoring index because there is a positive correlation between acoustic characteristics of plaque and cerebral infarction.