The ability of Micropure® ultrasound technique to identify microcalcifications in carotid plaques

Abstract Objectives To study the ability of Micropure® ultrasound technique to identify microcalcifications in carotid plaques. Methods Forty-four carotids in 22 patients were enrolled in this study and were detected by routine ultrasound examination and Micropure® examination at the same time to identify microcalcifications in plaques. The results were compared with the tissue-background ratio (TBR) in 18F-NaF PET-CT imaging, which was performed one or two days after the ultrasound examination. Results In the 44 carotids, plaques were detected in 37 carotids. Microcalcifications were detected by the Micropure® technique in 32 carotids, which were located surrounded by macrocalcifications in 23 carotids, in the fibre cap in 12 carotids, and in the base of the plaque in 6 carotids. Microcalcifications were not detected in 12 carotids. In 18F-NaF PET-CT examination, TBR > 1.61 (range 1.62-3.99, mean 2.25 ± 0.58) was detected in 37 carotids, and TBR  Conclusions Microcalcifications in the carotid artery detected by the Micropure® technique were well in accordance with 18F-NaF PET-CT scanning, with better sensitivity and specificity.