In-vivo imaging of carotid plaque neoangiogenesis with contrast-enhanced harmonic ultrasound.

We describe a case where a mild carotid atherosclerotic plaque was assessed by contrast enhanced harmonic ultrasonography and image analysis. Quantitative indices of plaque echogenicity were determined prior and after the injection of microbubbles. Changes in plaque echogenicity were detected possibly due to the flow of microbubbles through vasa vasorum within the plaque and at the plaque base at the adventitial level. Future histological studies remain to be done to link the presence and the extent of plaque and adventitial neovascularization with the visual and quantitative findings derived by contrast enhanced harmonic ultrasound and image analysis.