Abstract 171: Four-dimensional Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography for the Evaluation of Intraplaque Neovascularization in Carotid Artery Plaque

Purpose: The presence of intraplaque neovascularization has been identified as a factor in unstable plaque. Contrast-enhanced carotid artery ultrasonography has been used for evaluating such neovascularizations. However, it is difficult to define the inflow routes of a contrast agent into carotid artery plaque with conventional 2-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of intraplaque neovascularization with 4-dimensional (4D) contrast-enhanced carotid arterial ultrasonography. Subjects: The study included 29 patients with internal carotid artery stenosis (M:F =26:3, mean age:70.4 years) who were inpatients or outpatients of the Department of Neurology and Gerontology or the Department of Neurosurgery, and who were candidates for carotid endarterectomy. Methods: Four-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed using the contrast agent Perflubutane prior to the undertaking of a carotid endarterectomy. The presence or absence of inflow of the contrast agent fro...