Ultrasound Imaging: A Superior Choice for Evaluating Carotid Artery Plaque Neovascularization

Both enhanced CT and enhanced MRI are effective in evaluating neovascularization within carotid artery plaques, which is crucial in assessing plaque stability. However, contrast agents used in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) are pure blood pool agents that do not leak into surrounding tissues, making ultrasound imaging more accurate in displaying neovascularization within plaques compared to CT and MRI. Additionally, superb microvascular imaging ultrasound has been shown to have comparable accuracy to CEUS in detecting neovascularization within carotid artery plaques.