The Accuracy of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis of Carotid Plaque Morphology

Authors

  • Detelina Valchkova Lukanova Clinic of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, MBAL “National Heart Hospital”, Sofia
  • Nadelin Krasimirov Nikolov Clinic of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, MBAL “National Heart Hospital”, Sofia
  • Kameliya Zaharieva Genova Depаrtment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, MBAL “National Heart Hospital”, Sofia
  • Mario Draganov Stankev Clinic of Vascular Surgery and Angiology, MBAL “National Heart Hospital”, Sofia
  • Elisaveta Valcheva Georgieva Depаrtment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, MBAL “National Heart Hospital”, Sofia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2015.039

Keywords:

carotid, noninvasive imaging, vulnerable plaque

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The stroke is leading cause of death and severe disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis is responsible for over 30% of all ischemic strokes. It has been recently discovered that plaque morphology may help predict the clinical behavior of carotid atherosclerosis and determine the risk of stroke. The noninvasive imaging techniques have been developed to evaluate the vascular wall in an attempt to identify “vulnerable plaquesâ€.

AIM: The purpose is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the identification of plaque components associated with plaque vulnerability.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients were admitted for carotid endarterectomy for high grade carotid stenosis. We defined the diagnostic value of B-mode ultrasound of carotid plaque in a half, and the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, in the other group, for detection of unstable carotid plaque. The reference standard was histology.

RESULTS: Sensitivity of ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is 94%, 83% and 100%, and the specificity is 93%, 73% and 89% for detection of unstable carotid plaque.

CONCLUSION: The ultrasound has high accuracy for diagnostics of carotid plaque morphology, magnetic resonance imaging has high potential for tissue differentiation and multidetector computed tomography determines precisely degree of stenosis and presence of ulceration and calcifications. The three noninvasive imaging modalities are complementary for optimal evaluation of the morphology of carotid plaque. This will help to determine the risk of stroke and to decide on the best treatment – carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting.

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Published

2015-03-27

How to Cite

1.
Lukanova DV, Nikolov NK, Genova KZ, Stankev MD, Georgieva EV. The Accuracy of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis of Carotid Plaque Morphology. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2015 Mar. 27 [cited 2024 Apr. 25];3(2):224-30. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2015.039

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2015): Jun 15 (OAMJMS)

Section

B - Clinical Sciences

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

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