In Evaluation Of Neovascularization In Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Of Different Risk Levels:Compared With Superb Microvascular Imaging And CEUS

ObjectiveTo compare the application and value of superb microvascular imaging(SMI)and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in evaluation of the neovascularization in carotid atherosclerotic plaque of different risk levels.Methods 55 carotid atherosclerotic plaques were collected and diagnosed by conventional carotid artery ultrasound,the plaques were divided into four risk levels based on morphology and echogenicity by conventional ultrasound.Then use SMI and CEUS to evaluate the plaque neovascularization and graded.Make a comparison with SMI and CEUS on checking the neovascular in the carotid atherosclerotic plaques.Results55 plaques,the neovascularization in carotid atherosclerotic plaque were 36 by SMI,the plaque were 42 by CEUS,which had a good consistance between SMI and CEUS(Kappa=0.734).The low risk plaque were 8,moderate high risk plaque were 14,high risk plaque were 26 and 7 were extreme high risk plaques.The difference of the detection the neovascularization in carotid plaque of different risk levels between SMI and CEUS was not statistically significant(?~2=4.444,P=0.107;?~2=2.715,P=0.176;?~2=3.630,P=0.123;?~2=3.733,P=0.143).ConclusionSMI and CEUS had high consistency in evaluation of the neovascular in the carotid artery plaques.SMI techology had a good application value to evaluate neovascularization in carotid atherosclerotic plaque of different risk levels.