open access
Ultrasonographic morphology of unstable carotid plaque: Is the standard computer-assisted GSM analysis precise enough?
open access
Abstract
Material and methods: The authors have evaluated 3 programs (2 commercially available and 1 specifically designed for the purpose of the study). 130 carotid plaques were analyzed (derived from 125 patients who underwent operations for CEA). Apart from a computer analysis, the following elements were evaluated: microembolism (assessed by TCD), intraoperative evaluation of the plaque and its histopathological examination. A postoperative course was also assessed including the results of a CT and NMR scan performed whenever it was deemed to be necessary. All the results were analyzed with the use of multivariate analysis and Pearson’s chi-square tests.
Results: The application of computer-assisted techniques in US evaluations of carotid plaque morphology proves to be an important tool in the diagnosis of plaque instability features and perioperative risk assessment. The multivariate analysis revealed the superiority of pixel distribution analysis, as the most accurate and specific of the 3 computer programs evaluated. Standard GSM analysis is a valuable method, though less precise than pixel distribution analysis.
Abstract
Material and methods: The authors have evaluated 3 programs (2 commercially available and 1 specifically designed for the purpose of the study). 130 carotid plaques were analyzed (derived from 125 patients who underwent operations for CEA). Apart from a computer analysis, the following elements were evaluated: microembolism (assessed by TCD), intraoperative evaluation of the plaque and its histopathological examination. A postoperative course was also assessed including the results of a CT and NMR scan performed whenever it was deemed to be necessary. All the results were analyzed with the use of multivariate analysis and Pearson’s chi-square tests.
Results: The application of computer-assisted techniques in US evaluations of carotid plaque morphology proves to be an important tool in the diagnosis of plaque instability features and perioperative risk assessment. The multivariate analysis revealed the superiority of pixel distribution analysis, as the most accurate and specific of the 3 computer programs evaluated. Standard GSM analysis is a valuable method, though less precise than pixel distribution analysis.
Keywords
unstable carotid plaque; ultrasonography; GSM analysis


Title
Ultrasonographic morphology of unstable carotid plaque: Is the standard computer-assisted GSM analysis precise enough?
Journal
Chirurgia Polska (Polish Surgery)
Issue
Pages
1-10
Published online
2005-05-06
Bibliographic record
Chirurgia Polska 2005;7(1):1-10.
Keywords
unstable carotid plaque
ultrasonography
GSM analysis
Authors
Grzegorz Madycki
Walerian Staszkiewicz
Teresa Wagner