Imaging the plaque content in cervical carotid artery stenosis: There were no elastic fibers

Abstract

The composition of atherosclerotic plaques in cervical internal carotid artery stenosis is an important factor in assessing the risk of cerebral infarction. We investigated the pathological findings of plaques obtained through CEA. We included eight patients who underwent CEA. The relationship between pathological plaques and preoperative CT, MRI, and angiography findings was examined. Pathological plaques were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and elastica van Gieson. In the results, no cases showed elastic fibers within atherosclerotic plaques. CEA was selected for cases exhibiting surface roughness, coral-like calcification, and high intensity on T1WI and T2WI.