The effect of B-mode ultrasonic image standardisation on the echodensity of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid bifurcation plaques

摘要: Background To develop a method that allows B-mode ultrasonic images of carotid plaques to be standardised so measurements plaque echodensity become comparable and clinically useful. Methods Design. Cross sectional study. Setting. Teaching hospital, England. Patients random consecutive series 23 patients in part I, 19 II 77 III. Measures. Part I: twenty-three bifurcation from 2 duplex scanners were digitised. Images by 4 observers the grey scale median (GSM) would 0-5 for blood 185-195 adventitia. II: effect three different recording media: video, magneto-optical disk (MOD) thermal paper on plaques' was determined. III: 91 with greater than 50% stenosis correlated presence or absence ipsilateral hemispherical symptoms. Results coefficient variation (CV) among 0.7%, 0% 4.7% after image standardisation adventitia, respectively. near perfect agreement obtained between GSM video MOD (r = 0.97) standardisation. standardisation, symptomatic lower (21 +/- 14.8) asymptomatic (38 26) p 0.002. Plaque echolucency more likely associated symptoms (relative risk 4.1 90% CI 1.8-9.4). Conclusions ultrasonographers through peripherals can may comparable. The is recommended use future natural history studies where stroke end-point.