Ultrasound Evaluation Of Carotid Plaque Formation After Radiotherapy For Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective: To explore the ultrasonic manifestations in evaluating of carotid artery plaques in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)after radiotherapy,and to analyze the correlation between plaque formation and radiotherapy treatment.Method: 62 patients with NPC after radiotherapy were radiotherapy group,48 newly diagnosed untreated with NPC patients were no radiotherapy group,and 30 healthy subjects were control group.B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound were used to explore the bilateral carotid arteries of the subjects,the intima-media thickness(IMT)was measured,and the number,location and distribution of carotid plaques were observed.Statistical software was used to compare and analyze the two groups of data.Result:Right IMT(0.69±0.20mm)and left IMT(0.76±0.27mm)in the radiotherapy group.Right IMT(0.60±0.17mm)and left IMT(0.61±0.17mm)in the no radiotherapy group.Right IMT(0.58±0.14mm)and left IMT(0.61±0.15 mm)in the control group.There were significant differences in bilateral IMT between the three groups(P<0.05).There was significant difference in IMT be tween the radiotherapy group and the no radiotherapy group,the radiothrapy group and the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in IMT between the no radiotherapy group and the control group(P>0.05).The incidence of arterial plaque in radiotherapy group was 51.6%,in no radiotherapy group was 14.6%,in the control group was 13.3%.There was a significant difference in the incidence of carotid plaque between the three groups(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in plaque location,distribution and number between the three groups(P>0.05).Age,radiotherapy and postradiotherapy interval were related factors and risk factors for carotid artery plaque formation in NPC patients after radiotherapy,while gender,BMI,radiotherapy dose and radiotherapy frequency were not related factors for carotid artery plaque formation.Conclusion: Radiation therapy in patients with NPC can lead to carotid injury,resulting in carotid intima thickening and increased plaque.Carotid injury is a delayed complication after radiotherapy.Age and interval time after radiotherapy were risk factors.Plaque incidence increases with the increase of age and the prolonged interval time after radiotherapy.Ultrasound examination can be used as a screening method for carotid artery injury in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy,providing evidence for early clinical prevention and treatment of carotid artery injury caused by radiotherapy.