[The ultrasonographic assessment of carotid plaques in relation to cerebral events and damage over 3 years].
Three hundred carotid plaques (stenosis 45 to 65%) in 300 asymptomatic patients were included into a follow-up study considering three ultrasound types of plaques: type 1, non echogenic; type 2 intermediate, partially echogenic and type 3 highly echogenic. Types 1 and 2 had regular contour/surface while type 3 was irregular and in some patients associated with ultrasonographic signs of ulceration and intra-plaque haemorrhage. Patients were clinically evaluated for 3 years, randomly selected subgroups were studied with cerebral CT or magnetic resonance (MR) scanning to evaluate brain damage. There were no signs of cerebral damage in type 1 plaque patients. The incidence of signs and symptoms were higher in type 2 and 3 plaque patients. This was associated with an increased incidence of CT lesions and an even higher incidence of MR lesions in plaque type 3. In conclusion type 3 plaques are associated both with more clinical problems and evidence of CT/MR brain damage. Furthermore MR reveals more brain lesions than CT.
Laurora
G
G
Istituto di Clinica Cardiovascolare, Università degli Studi G. D'Annunzio, Chieti.
Cesarone
M R
MR
De Sanctis
M T
MT
Belcaro
G
G
D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
Valutazione ultrasonografica di placche carotidee in relazione ad eventi ed a danno cerebrale in 3 anni.