超声技术评估颈动脉易损斑块的应用进展

Progress of ultrasonography in evaluation of carotid vulnerable plaque

颈动脉易损斑块是缺血性脑梗死发病机制中的一个重要部分,识别易损斑块对脑梗死患者的诊断、治疗和预后有重要的临床意义。随着超声成像及相关技术的进步,超声不仅可以筛查颈动脉狭窄和斑块的基本特征,还可以早期提示斑块的易损性。本文拟从斑块构成、纤维帽厚度、新生血管和斑块形态四个方面来回顾超声对易损斑块评估的应用与进展。

The presence of carotid vulnerable plaque plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cerebral infarction,therefore,the identification of vulnerable plaques is of important clinical significance in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of patients with cerebral infarction. With the development of ultrasound imaging and related technologies,ultrasound can not only screen the basic features of carotid artery stenosis and plaque,but also provide early indication of plaque vulnerability. This paper reviews the application and progress of ultrasonic evaluation of vulnerable plaques from four aspects: plaque composition,fiber cap thickness,neovascularization and plaque morphology.