OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether ultrasonography can characterise plaque morphology and surfaces independent of the observer. METHODS: Computer-assisted image analysis of the grey scales of B-mode scans from 15 patients with stenoses of the internal carotid artery was performed and compared with the histopathological reports. In vitro angioscopy, was used to visualise the plaque surfaces of the thromboendarterectomy specimens. RESULT: Assessment of the internal plaque structure by ultrasound showed close agreement between the two observers (P<0.01) without correlation with the histopathological results. Ultrasonography was able to characterise the plaque surfaces in 93% of cases. CONCLUSION: This investigation showed that standardised computer-assisted analysis of the internal plaque structure correlates less closely than histological investigation, but agrees closely with the surface structure of the plaque. The exclusive use of digital image processing and standardisation of the investigative technique are expected to provide even better results.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether ultrasonography can characterise plaque morphology and surfaces independent of the observer. METHODS: Computer-assisted image analysis of the grey scales of B-mode scans from 15 patients with stenoses of the internal carotid artery was performed and compared with the histopathological reports. In vitro angioscopy, was used to visualise the plaque surfaces of the thromboendarterectomy specimens. RESULT: Assessment of the internal plaque structure by ultrasound showed close agreement between the two observers (P<0.01) without correlation with the histopathological results. Ultrasonography was able to characterise the plaque surfaces in 93% of cases. CONCLUSION: This investigation showed that standardised computer-assisted analysis of the internal plaque structure correlates less closely than histological investigation, but agrees closely with the surface structure of the plaque. The exclusive use of digital image processing and standardisation of the investigative technique are expected to provide even better results.
Authors: Cheuk F Chan; Niall G Keenan; Sonia Nielles-Vallespin; Peter Gatehouse; Mary N Sheppard; Joseph J Boyle; Dudley J Pennell; David N Firmin Journal: J Cardiovasc Magn Reson Date: 2010-03-26 Impact factor: 5.364
Authors: Lawrence W C Chan; Iris F F Benzie; Thomas Y H Lau; Yongping Zheng; Alex K S Wong; Y Liu; Phoebe S T Chan Journal: Summit Transl Bioinform Date: 2008-03-01
Authors: Baris Kanber; Timothy C Hartshorne; Mark A Horsfield; A Ross Naylor; Thompson G Robinson; Kumar V Ramnarine Journal: Cardiovasc Ultrasound Date: 2013-11-06 Impact factor: 2.062