Characteristics of Unstable Carotid Plaques - New Image Modalities

Ischemic stroke is a socially significant health problem due to high mortality and disability. One of the leading causes for cerebrovascular accidents is the carotid atherosclerosis. The mechanism of its formation presents not only lipid accumulation in the arterial wall but a complex inflammatory disease. The aims of this review are to point the new methods and approaches for diagnostic of the unstable and high-risk carotid plaques. The old plaque imaging modalities emphasized mainly to the degrees of luminal stenosis. The new possibilities reveal plaque morphology so detailed even compared to histological verification. Recent techniques as Shear wave elastography, optical coherence tomography, Superb microvascular imaging, USPIO MRI give information about the pathological mechanisms of carotid atherosclerosis. The efforts are directed to predict the atherosclerotic burden, plaque instability and the occurrence of cerebrovascular events for each patient and to optimize personal management.