Basal cerebral computed tomography as diagnostic tool to improve patient selection in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
One-hundred patients were included to evaluate the role of cerebral computed tomography (CT) to improve patient selection in asymptomatic internal carotid stenosis. Symptomatic patients were assigned to group A, asymptomatic patients to group B. A cerebral CT pattern A was observed in groups A and B in 60% and 20%, respectively (P < .0001). Between A and B groups, type 6 plaques were found, respectively, in 26.7% and 7.5% of patients (P = .01); a type 5 in 51.7% and 45% (P = .32) of patients; and a type 4 in 21.7% and 47.5% of patients, respectively (P = .006). Within B group, the association of CT pattern A and histological plaque level 4, 5, and 6 was, respectively, 25% (P = .15), 50% (P = .53), and 25% (P = .16). In group B, a 7-fold risk increase in CT pattern A was found in patients with level 6 plaque. In asymptomatic patients with high-risk plaque, a basal cerebral CT scan can be used as diagnostic tool to improve patient selection for intervention.
Vascular Surgery Unit, University of Palermo, AOUP P. Giaccone, Italy. felicepecoraro@libero.it
Felice
F
Pecoraro
Ettore
E
Dinoto
Domenico
D
Mirabella
Giuseppe
G
Corte
Umberto Marcello
UM
Bracale
Guido
G
Bajardi
D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome