Value of superb micro-vascular imaging in detecting neovascularization of carotid plaque

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical significnace of superb micro-vascular imaging(SMI) in the detection of neovascularization of carotid plaque.

MethodsSixty-two patients with carotid atherosclerosis were identified using the routine color Doppler, and 70 carotid plaque cases with new blood vessel signal were screened using SMI, and further examined using contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS).The consistency of two methods in detecting the number of neovascularization in carotid plaque was compared.

ResultsThe plaques were graded according to the distribution and number of neovascularization detected by SMI, grade 0 in 10 cases, grade 1 in 35 cases and grade 2 in 25 cases were identified according to the score of SMI.The grade 0 in 15 cases, grade 1 in 35 cases and grade 2 in 20 cases were identified according to the score of carotid CEUS.The consistency of SMI CEUS in detecting the neovascularization of carotid plaque was good(Kappa=0.769, P < 0.05).

ConclusionsSMI has good coincidence with CEUS in the diagnosis of neovascularization of carotid plaque.SMI has high safety, easy operation and high reproducibility.SMI has important reference value in evaluating the neovascularization of carotid plaque, and can be used as an important method in the diagnosis of neovascularization of carotid plaque.