Consistency of superb microvascular imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in detection of intraplaque neovascularization: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis assesses the consistency of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in detecting intraplaque neovascularization (IPN). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CBM databases. A meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 15.1 software. We calculated the pooled Kappa index. Ten studies that met all of the inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 608 carotid plaques were assessed through both SMI and CEUS. The pooled summary Kappa index was 0.743 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.696–0.790) with statistical significance (z = 31.14, P < 0.01). We found no evidence of publication bias (t = −1.21, P = 0.261). Our meta-analysis indicates that SMI and CEUS display a good consistency in detecting the IPN of carotid plaque; that is, SMI ultrasound may be a promising alternative to CEUS for detecting the IPN of carotid plaque.