Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Identifies Carotid Artery Plaque Rupture Leading to Stroke: A Case Report

Revised: Carotid artery plaque rupture leading to stroke is a common neurological emergency that is typically diagnosed using CTA and DSA examinations. However, we present a case where contrast-enhanced ultrasound was successfully employed to identify the cause of stroke as the rupture of a vulnerable plaque in the carotid artery, resulting in the formation of a floating thrombus. This unique application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, which is rarely utilized, highlights the practicality of this technique in diagnosing carotid artery plaque rupture leading to stroke. Moreover, contrast-enhanced ultrasound offers several advantages, including its convenience, speed, lack of radiation exposure or nephrotoxicity, real-time imaging capabilities, and suitability for bedside examinations.