Relationship of Carotid Plaque Echomorphology to Presenting Symptom

D Russell, S Wijeyaratne, M Gough

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    18 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: Attempts to stratify carotid plaques according to clinical risk using single longitudinal view (SLV) echomorphology have not been uniformly successful. We compared SLV grey scale median measurements (SLV-GSM) with a newer technique of multiple cross-sectional view echomorphology (MCSV-GSM) in carotid plaques from 3 patient groups (asymptomatic, ocular, and hemispheric symptoms). Methods: SLV and MCSV images were obtained from 109 carotid stenoses (70-99%; 41 hemispheric, 17 ocular, 51 asymptomatic). SLV-GSM and MCSV-GSM min (lowest plaque MCSV image GSM) were determined to assess echolucency whilst MCSV-GSM max-min (highest minus lowest MCSV-GSM) assessed heterogeneity. Results: Echolucency was greater (lower GSM) in plaques causing hemispheric symptoms versus asymptomatic plaques (MCSV-GSM min , P = .002; SLV-GSM, P = .002). Only MCSV imaging detected differences in echolucency between asymptomatic plaques and those causing ocular symptoms (SLV-GSM, p = 0.84; MCSV-GSM min , p = .003). Symptomatic plaques showed greater heterogeneity versus asymptomatic plaques, significantly in those causing ocular symptoms (hemispheric P = .126; AF P = .011). Conclusions: Both SLV and MCSV echomorphology confirm increased echolucency in plaques causing hemispheric symptoms. Plaques causing ocular symptoms could only be distinguished from asymptomatic plaques with MCSV assessment (increased echolucency and heterogeneity). This suggests that amaurosis fugax may be associated with a more focal plaque instability that is best detected with MCSV imaging.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)134-138
    Number of pages5
    JournalEuropean Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
    Volume39
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2010

    Keywords

    • Amaurosis fugax
    • Carotid stenosis
    • Echomorphology

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