Published Online
on August 30, 2007

A more recent version of this article appeared on October 1, 2007

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Submitted on March 22, 2007
Accepted on April 12, 2007

Detection of Carotid Adventitial Vasa Vasorum and Plaque Vascularization With Ultrasound Cadence Contrast Pulse Sequencing Technique and Echo-Contrast Agent

Edoardo Vicenzini MD, PhD^*; Maria Fabrizia Giannoni MD; Francesco Puccinelli MD; Maria Chiara Ricciardi MD; Marta Altieri MD, PhD; Vittorio Di Piero MD, PhD; Bruno Gossetti MD; Fabrizio Benedetti Valentini MD; and Gian Luigi Lenzi MD

From the Department of Neurological Sciences (E.V., F.P., M.C.R., M.A., V.D.P., G.L.L.), and the Department of Vascular Surgery (M.F.G., B.G., F.B.V.), University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy.

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: edoardo.vicenzini{at}uniroma1.it.

Background and Purpose—Adventitial vasa vasorum and plaque vascularization have been established as predictors of unstable atheromasic lesions in cerebro- and cardiovascular patients. Ultrasound contrast agents provide reliable information on tissue perfusion and microcirculation. We used contrast ultrasound duplex scanning to identify carotid plaque vascularization.

Methods—Contrast carotid duplex scanning was performed in 23 patients with plaques of different degree of stenosis and echogenicity.

Results—Plaque vascularization was detected in the fibrous and fibro-fatty tissue and not observed in the calcific nor in the necrotic and hemorrhagic tissue. Constantly, a small vessel was observed under ulcerations.

Conclusions—Carotid contrast ultrasound imaging appears to be an emerging technique for identifying plaque angiogenesis. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of plaque angiogenesis for assessing cerebrovascular risk and to monitor effects of therapies aimed to plaque remodelling.

Key words: carotid atherosclerosis • plaque vascularization • ultrasonography • echo-contrast agents • Cadence CPS technique

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