Multimodality ultrasound imaging in stroke: current concepts and future focus

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Stroke is a major global cause of disability and death.
• Ultrasound is a safe, affordable, and accurate real-time imaging tool for assessing blood vessels.
• Ultrasonic imaging provides crucial data on both intracranial and extracranial vessels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse applications of ultrasound in stroke prevention and management.
• To present conventional and advanced ultrasound techniques relevant to stroke assessment.
• To highlight ultrasound's role in evaluating stroke risk factors and patient populations like those with sickle cell disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of multimodal applications of ultrasonic imaging.
• Discussion of conventional ultrasonography.
• Presentation of novel techniques: grayscale median, 3D ultrasound, elastography, intravascular ultrasound, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound effectively assesses carotid intima-media thickness, plaque morphology, and degree of stenosis.
• It aids in detecting patent foramen ovale and monitoring microembolization.
• Ultrasound is valuable for screening stroke risk in sickle cell disease patients.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonography is a versatile, non-invasive imaging technology for stroke risk assessment.
• Various ultrasound modalities offer distinct advantages and limitations.
• Future research should focus on enhancing imaging quality and diagnostic accuracy through technological advancements.