Computed Tomography Angiography Combined Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Carotid Plaques

Purpose To explore the value of CT angiography(CTA)and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in the diagnosis of carotid atherosclerosis.Materials and Methods 62 patients with carotid atherosclerosis underwent CTA and CEUS.Carotid artery percent stenosis,surface morphology of the atherosclerotic plaques and intraplaque neovascularization(IPN)were analyzed.Plaques were further divided into stable plaque and vulnerable plaque.Results 64 pathological changes of 62 patients were observed.CTA showed 55 no calcification plaques,9 calcification plaques(3 heavily calcified plaques);19 mild stenosis,16 moderate stenosis,27 severe stenosis,2 occlusion.CEUS showed 44 severe neovascularization,20 moderate neovascularization;19 mild stenoses,16 moderate stenoses,27 severe stenoses,and 2 occlusions.Conclusion There was good concordance between the two methods in measure the degree of carotid stenosis.This study demonstrated that not all the heavily calcified plaques(>45%calcified)reveal a strong predilection to stability,neovascularization can be extensive enhanced in heavily calcified plaques.