Open AccessContrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of the vasa vasorum of carotid artery plaque
Author(s) -
Ze–Zhou Song,
Yanming Zhang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
world journal of radiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1949-8470
DOI - 10.4329/wjr.v7.i6.131
Subject(s) - vasa vasorum , medicine , ultrasound , contrast enhanced ultrasound , carotid arteries , radiology , intravascular ultrasound , artery , vulnerable plaque , cardiology
The vasa vasorum of carotid artery plaque is a novel marker of accurately evaluating the vulnerability of carotid artery plaque, which was associated with symptomatic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The presence of ultrasound contrast agents in carotid artery plaque represents the presence of the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque because the ultrasound contrast agents are strict intravascular tracers. Therefore, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a novel and safe imaging modality for evaluating the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque. However, there are some issues that needs to be assessed to embody fully the clinical utility of the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque with CEUS.