Correlation of Cerebrovascular Symptoms and Microembolic Signals With the Stratified Gray-Scale Median Analysis and Color Mapping of the Carotid Plaque

Background and Purpose—To determine whether a stratified gray-scale median (GSM) analysis of the carotid plaque combined with color mapping correlated better with the presence of neurological symptoms and microembolic signals (MES) than a whole plaque measurement. Methods—A total of 131 patients presenting 167 carotid stenoses between 30% and 99% were analyzed by ultrasound. Emboli detection was performed by transcranial Doppler. For each plaque, the GSM values at depth 0 mm (surface) and at one third (30) and one half (50) of the plaque thickness were compared with the values obtained for the whole plaque. The plaque pixels were mapped into 3 colors: red, yellow and green, depending on their GSM value. Results—Mean GSM values were lower among symptomatic plaques, but a statistically significant difference between values of the whole plaque and those of the surface was obtained only for MES stenoses (P0.01). In a proportional odds logistic regression model based on 4 subgroups with an increasing clinical risk (MES/symptoms; MES/ symptoms; MES/symptoms; ; MES/symptoms), low mean GSM values and the predominant red color at the surface were independent factors associated with the presence of symptoms or MES (P0.0005). Furthermore, compared with a whole plaque measurement, analysis of the surface values predicted systematically with a greater sensitivity and specificity (receiver operating characteristic curves) each one of these 4 subgroups. Conclusions—Low mean GSM values and predominance of the red color at the surface correlated with most of the symptomatic or MES stenoses. This combined approach should be further investigated in a longitudinal study. (Stroke. 2006;37:824-829.

Cerebral venous thrombosis due to cryptogenic organising pneumopathy with antiphospholipid syndrome worsened by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has usually been ascribed to prothrombotic conditions, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, malignancy, infection, head injury or mechanical precipitants. The case reported here illustrates two rare causes of CVT observed in the same patient: the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies associated with an asymptomatic cryptogenic organising pneumopathy (COP) which were considered the origin of the venous cerebral thrombosis and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) which was responsible for the worsening of the thrombosis observed a few days after the introduction of treatment. Moreover, we provide here additional positive experience in the treatment of both, CVT and HIT, by fondaparinux with bridging to warfarin given their successful evolution under this anticoagulant option

Stratified gray-scale median analysis and color mapping of the carotid placque

Background and Purpose—To determine whether a stratified gray-scale median (GSM) analysis of the carotid plaque combined with color mapping could predict plaque histology better than an overall GSM measurement. Methods—Thirty-one carotid plaques derived from 28 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were investigated by ultrasound. GSMs of the whole plaque were used as measurement of echogenicity. A profile of the regional GSM as a function of distance from the plaque surface could be generated. Plaque pixels were further mapped into 3 different colors depending on their GSM value. Results—Plaques with large calcifications presented the highest GSM values, and those with large hemorrhagic areas or with a predominant necrotic core exhibited the lowest. Fibrous plaques had intermediate GSM values. A necrotic core located in a juxtalumenal position was associated with significantly lower GSM values (P0.009) and with a predominant red color (GSM 50) at the surface (P0.0019). With respect to the thickness of the fibrous cap and the position of the necrotic core, the sensitivity and specificity of the predominant red color of the whole plaque was respectively 45% and 67% and 53% and 75%; considering the predominant red color of the surface, the sensitivity and specificity increased to 73% and 67% and 84% and 75%, respectively. Conclusions—The stratified GSM measurement combined with color mapping showed a good correlation with the different histopathological components and further allowed identification with good accuracy of determinants of plaque instability. This approach should be investigated in a prospective, natural history study. (Stroke. 2005;36:741-745.

Accuracy of a novel risk index combining degree of stenosis of the carotid artery and plaque surface echogenicity.

Background and Purpose—The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a risk index in symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenoses. Methods—Consecutive patients presenting 50% to 99% carotid stenoses were included. A semiautomated gray scale-based color mapping (red, yellow, and green) of the whole plaque and of its surface was achieved. Surface was defined as the region located between the lumen (Level 0) and, respectively, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm. Risk index was based on a combination of degree of stenosis and the proportion of the red color (reflecting low echogenicity) on the surface or on the whole plaque. Results—There were 67 (36%) symptomatic and 117 (64%) asymptomatic carotid stenoses. Risk index values were higher among symptomatic stenoses (0.46 mean versus 0.29; P,0.0001); on receiver operating characteristic curves, risk index presented a stronger predictive power compared with degree of stenosis or surface echogenicity alone. Also, in a regression model including age, gender, degree of stenosis, surface echogenicity, gray median scale of the whole plaque, and risk index, risk index measured within the surface region located at 0.5 mm from the lumen was the only parameter significantly associated with the presence of symptoms (OR, 4.89; 95% CI, 2.7– 8.7; P50.0000002). The best criterion to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic stenoses was a risk index value .0.36 (sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 65%, respectively). Conclusions—Risk index was significantly higher in the presence of symptoms and could therefore be a valuable tool to assess the clinical risk of a carotid plaque. (Stroke. 2012;43:1260-1265.

Stratified gray-scale median analysis and color mapping of the carotid plaque: correlation with endarterectomy specimen histology of 28 patients

To determine whether a stratified gray-scale median (GSM) analysis of the carotid plaque combined with color mapping could predict plaque histology better than an overall GSM measurement