Cross-Sectional Imaging of Elasticity around Atherosclerotic Plaque with Transcutaneous Ultrasound

Abstract

The minute change in thickness less than 100 µm of the arterial wall cannot be measured by conventional B-mode or M-mode images. This paper describes a novel noninvasive method (phased tracking method) for measuring such minute change in the arterial wall thickness during one cardiac cycle. A method for evaluation of the regional elastic modulus in the circumference direction, Eθ, from the resultant change in wall thickness is also described. The developed method was applied to subjects with hyperlipidemia, the spatial distribution of the regional elastic moduli, Eθ, is evaluated for the carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The soft inclusion is found from every plaque and there are differences in elasticity for surrounding hard tissues. The novel method offers potential for new diagnostic techniques in vulnerability of plaques.