Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Assessing Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Lesions

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a new, noninvasive, and safe procedure for imaging carotid atherosclerotic lesions. It is a valuable tool for evaluating the vulnerable plaque at risk for rupture and for evaluating both the development and severity of systemic atherosclerotic disease.

Evaluation of Cryptogenic Stroke With Advanced Diagnostic Techniques

“…More recently, 3-dimensional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound have been introduced as a tool for evaluating the vulnerable plaque at risk for rupture in patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease. 24,25 With the recent development of high-resolution-MRI techniques, vessel wall imaging findings in various causes of intracranial stenosis, has been reported, including intracranial atherosclerosis, dissection, and vasculitis. 26 MRI technique to find vulnerable plaque is important because vulnerable plaques often have well-preserved lumen because plaque grows outward initially.…”

Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound of the Carotid Artery in Patients With Large Vessel Vasculitis: Correlation With Positron Emission Tomography Findings

“…This technique was also used for identifying and quantifying carotid artery vasa vasorum and intraplaque neovascularization in patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery lesions (10)(11)(12). A correlation was found between the inflammation observed on histopathologic analysis of the plaque after endarterectomy and the degree of intraplaque neovascularization on CEUS (13)(14)(15).…”

Rhodamine-Loaded Intercellular Adhesion Molecule–1-targeted Microbubbles for Dual-Modality Imaging Under Controlled Shear Stresses

“…Therefore, microbubbles are highly suitable for molecular imaging of angiogenic and inflamed endothelial surfaces. 38 CEUS was used successfully in preclinical trials for tumor imaging [39][40][41] and thrombus characterization. 42 Moreover, anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 antibody-coated microbubbles could localize successfully to atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic arch.…”