The Analysis of the Correlation Between Cerebral Stroke and Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque in Dual-source CT Angiography

Objective This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between ischemic infarction and characters of carotid atherosclerotic plaque,the component of atherosclerotic plaque,the location of carotid plaque,and the degree of stenosis of carotid artery. Materials and Methods Imaging findings in 164 patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque confirmed by clinical data and CT or MRI were analysed retrospectively.Dual source CT angiography was performed in all patients.The major branches of intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries were assessed.The character and component of carotid atherosclerotic plaque,the location of carotid plaque,and the degree of stenosis of carotid artery were measured at both infarction and infarction free sides in 138 patients with stroke,and compared with the controlled group. Results Among them,137 plaques located at extracranial vessel of carotid artery,in which 97 located at the bifurcation of common carotid artery (70.8%). Pure plaques were identified in 75 cases with non-calcified plaque in 26 cases (15.9%) and calcified plaque in 49 cases (29.9%). Mixed plaques were found in 89 cases (54.2%). In 72 cases with moderate or severe stenosis,cerebral infarction occurred at the same side in 52 cases (72.2%). In 12 cases with occlusion,11 cases (91.7%)had cerebral infarction at the same side.The component and number of plaques were significantly related to the stroke(P0.05). Conclu-sion Cerebral infarction is related to character,component and location of carotid plaque and the grade of stenosis of carotid artery. CT angiography might be one of examination methods in the detection of factors of cerebral infarction.