TY - JOUR
T1 - Relationship of Carotid Plaque Echomorphology to Presenting Symptom
AU - Russell, D
AU - Wijeyaratne, S
AU - Gough, M
PY - 2010/2
Y1 - 2010/2
N2 -
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.
AB -
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.
KW - Amaurosis fugax
KW - Carotid stenosis
KW - Echomorphology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76549136787&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.11.003
DO - 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.11.003
M3 - Article
SN - 1078-5884
VL - 39
SP - 134
EP - 138
JO - European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
JF - European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
IS - 2
ER -