Original scientific paper
Comparison of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography and Duplex Doppler Ultrasonography in Detecting Atherosclerotic Carotid Plaques Complicated with Intraplaque Hemorrhage
Marko Ajduk
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Vascular Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia
Stela Bulimbasic
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Pathology, Zagreb, Croatia
Ladislav Pavic
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirko Sarlija
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Vascular Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia
Leonardo Patrlj
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Vascular Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia
Boris Brkljacic
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Zagreb, Croatia
Predrag Pavic
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Vascular Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia
Igor Cikara
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Zagreb, Croatia
Gordana Ivanac
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This study compared sensitivity and specificity of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. Carotid plaques from 50 patients operated for carotid artery stenosis were analyzed. Carotid endarterectomy was performed within one week of diagnostic evaluation. Results of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography diagnostic evaluation were compared with results of histological analysis of the same plaque areas. American Heart Association classification of atherosclerotic plaques was applied for histological classification. Median tissue density of carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage was 14.7 Hounsfield units. Median tissue density of noncalcified segments of uncomplicated plaques was 54.3 Hounsfield units (p=0.00003). The highest tissue density observed for complicated plaques was 31.8 Hounsfield units. Multidetector-row computed tomography detected plaques complicated with hemorrhage with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 70.4%, with tissue density of 33.8 Hounsfield units as a threshold value. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography plaque analysis based on visual in-line classification showed sensitivity
of 21.7% and specificity of 89.6% in detecting plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. Multidetector-row computed tomography showed a very high level of sensitivity and a moderate level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography plaque analysis based on visual in-line classification showed a low level of sensitivity and a moderate-high level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage.
Keywords
carotid plaque; hemorrhage; multidetector-row computed tomography; duplex Doppler ultrasonography
Hrčak ID:
99563
URI
Publication date:
3.4.2013.
Visits: 1.579 *