B-mode ultrasonographic investigations of morphological changes in endarterectomized carotid artery.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess morphological changes in the endarterectomized carotid region using B-mode ultrasonography (USG).


METHODS
USG examinations were performed on 54 Japanese patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The endarterectomized regions were periodically investigated and the intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured.


RESULTS
Postoperative USGs revealed an evident step formation (type I: 20.4%), a gentle slope (type II: 42.6%), or complete smoothness (type III: 37.0%) at the junction of the endarterectomized carotid region and the common carotid artery (CCA). The IMT of the CCA progressively increased from type I to type III. Patients were followed up for an average of 2.7 years. The new intima-media complex (IMC) was confirmed in all cases after 9 months; it was visualized as an isoechoic layer (7%) or a mixture of iso- and hypoechoic layers (93%). Changes in the IMT during the follow-up period were classified into three groups: no change (group I: 23.1%), decrease (group II: 15.4%), and increase (group III: 61.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
USG is useful to clarify the complicated healing processes of the endarterectomized carotid artery.
Kagawa
R
R
Department of Neurosurgery, Muikaichi Hospital, 368-4 Muikaichi-cho, Kanoasi-gun, Shimane 699-5513, Japan.
Okada
Y
Y
Shima
T
T
Nishida
M
M
Yamane
K
K
Moritake
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D005352:Fibromuscular Dysplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography