超声造影成像技术评价颈动脉斑块内新生血管与斑块声学特性的关系

目的本研究应用超声造影成像技术评价颈动脉斑块内新生血管与斑块声学特性的关系。方法104例伴颈动脉粥样斑块患者行颈动脉常规及超声造影检查，通过肉眼观测及定量分析斑块造影增强情况。结果软斑造影增强比例明显高于其他类型斑块（P〈0.001）；软斑的增强强度明显高于其他类型斑块（P〈0.001）；软斑的斑块增强强度与颈动脉管腔内造影增强强度比值也高于其他类型斑块（P〈0.001）。结论研究表明软斑造影增强显著高于其他类型斑块。超声造影技术为评价斑块内新生血管特点及其与斑块声学特性的关系提供了新方法。

The evaluation of the relationship between carotid plaque neovascularization and plaque echogenicity by contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between carotid plaque neovascularization and plaque echogenicity with contrast agent microbubbles in subjects with carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Methods One hundred and four subjects （83 males, mean age 63±9 years） with carotid plaques were studied by standard and contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. The contrast-agent enhancement in the plaque was evaluated by visual interpretation and quantitative analysis. Results The soft plaques had a significantly higher proportion of contrast-agent enhancement compared with the other types of plaques （P〈0.001）. The enhanced intensity in the plaque and the ratio in the soft plaques were significantly higher than those in the other 3 types of plaques （P〈0.001）. Conclusions The soft plaques had more intense contrast-agent enhancement compared with the other types of plaques which suggesting the contrast-enhanced carotid ultra- sound imaging may be used for evaluating the relationship between carotid plaque neovascularization and plaque echogenicity.