Joint imaging techniques for mechanical and structure characteristics of atherosclerosis plaques

Abstract

Vascular ultrasound is a routine imaging modality in carotid atherosclerosis plaques. The plaques are heterogeneous and the compositions of plaque are complex covering calcification, fibrosis, cholesterol and hemorrhage. The mechanical and structure characteristics of plaques are the crucial information to identify the vulnerable plaque. The joint imaging techniques combing the elastography and the Nakagami-M parametric imaging is proposed to improve the diagnosis ability of plaques. The joint imaging techniques benefit the vulnerability analysis of plaques from jointly the mechanical and structure characteristics, supplying for each other. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the calcified plaques, mixed plaques and echolucent plaques are shown in this study. The statistical results indicate that only relying on the strain imaging hardly distinguish from all type of plaques, and the Nakagami-M parametric imaging is an excellent supplementary imaging method. The three type palques can be successfully identified from the images by the joint imaging techniques. The max strain values of the calcified, mixed and echolucent plaque in the images are respectively −0.20%, −0.91% and −0.32%. The M values of the calcified, mixed and echolucent plaque are respectively 0.60, 0.69 and 1.05. The strain values may not be at the same pressure, thus it could only identify the calcified plaque and mixed plaque. The M values of calcified plaque and mixed plaque is similar, but the M values could successfully distinguish mixed plaque and echolucent plaque. Therefore, the joint imaging techniques for mechanical and structure characteristics of plaque will be a promising modality for plaque characterization.