title: From embolization to remodeling: the need for early carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic carotid plaques.
abstract: Atheromatous plaques are dynamic structures undergoing continuous remodeling. Duplex ultrasound is now an accepted technique to classify the severity of arterial stenoses. It gives information about the ultrasonic echogenicity of tissue, the plaque surface and the velocity of blood flowing through vessels with the latest equipment. We report the case of a 59-year-old male patient with left hemispheric stroke and a 50% left carotid artery stenosis whose remodeling and reabsorption developed throughout three months from the onset of symptoms. Plaque surface and structural echomorphology assessment and standardization, along with the degree of carotid stenosis, might be helpful in identifying patients most likely to benefit from carotid endarterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery Division, Department of Surgery 'Paride Stefanini', Policlinico Umberto I, 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy. lauracapoccia@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capoccia
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pelonara
authors.forename: Cesira
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Imondi
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sbarigia
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Speziale
mesh_terms: D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex