Ultrasonographic analysis of arteriosclerotic plaques in the internal carotid artery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate whether ultrasonography can characterise plaque morphology and surfaces independent of the observer.


METHODS
Computer-assisted image analysis of the grey scales of B-mode scans from 15 patients with stenoses of the internal carotid artery was performed and compared with the histopathological reports. In vitro angioscopy, was used to visualise the plaque surfaces of the thromboendarterectomy specimens.


RESULTS
Assessment of the internal plaque structure by ultrasound showed close agreement between the two observers (P<0.01) without correlation with the histopathological results. Ultrasonography was able to characterise the plaque surfaces in 93% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This investigation showed that standardised computer-assisted analysis of the internal plaque structure correlates less closely than histological investigation, but agrees closely with the surface structure of the plaque. The exclusive use of digital image processing and standardisation of the investigative technique are expected to provide even better results.
Denzel
Christian
C
Vascular Surgery, Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Fellner
Franz
F
Wutke
Ralf
R
Bazler
Klaus
K
Müller
Klaus-Michael
KM
Lang
Werner
W
D000368:Aged; D017546:Angioscopy; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler