title: Application of Confocal Microscopy for 3D Assessment of Carotid Plaque Structure: Implications for Carotid Blood Flow and Stroke Research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little information is available on how forces resulting from fluid flow interact with structural stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and how such interactions may impact on stroke prevention; investigation of the 3D structure of plaque could help in such studies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether confocal microscopy can be used to obtain 3D visualization of the structure of atherosclerotic carotid plaques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Carotid plaque specimens were collected from routine end-arterectomy surgical operations. Both bright-field microscopy and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM) were used to generate 3D image data-sets and visualizations of surgically removed carotid plaques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence of carotid plaque vulnerability was demonstrated by reduced fibrous cap thickness and large lipid-necrotic core with evidence of cracking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The generation of 3D images of carotid plaques could help in: (i) investigating key features that affect plaque structural stability; (ii) comparing 3D microstructure of the plaque with clinical imaging assessment and blood flow investigations; and (iii) developing markers to identify patients requiring clinical intervention.
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Social Care, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khattab
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wertheim
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petford
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Lasantha
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wijesinghe
authors.forename: Ibtisam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ali