Fig. 7
From: Imaging of the ulcerated carotid atherosclerotic plaque: a review of the literature
Imaging findings in a symptomatic patient with ulcerated carotid plaque. B-mode image (a) showing a smooth atherosclerotic plaque, appearing predominantly hypoechoic. Colour Doppler image (b) confirming the plaque’s smooth surface and showing severe luminal stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Note that the flow is not adequately visualised in the internal carotid artery as parts of the lumen contain no flow signals. CEUS (c) improved visualisation of blood flow in the whole field of view and provided detailed delineation of the plaque surface. Note the presence of a small superficial ulceration (arrow) and intraplaque neovessels (arrowheads). MDCTA (d) confirming the presence of a small ulceration (arrowhead) in an otherwise smooth plaque causing stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Axial contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI image (e) of the same patient performed 1 week later for follow-up of stroke confirmed the presence of ulceration (arrowhead)