Background and purpose: Speckle Reduction Imaging is a new algorithm
that improves the image quality of B-mode scanning by reducing the
reverberation artifacts. In the present study the value of this method
for the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques in the internal
carotid artery was investigated.
Methods: Two hundred and twenty two patients (161 men, 61 women; mean
age 73 years) referred for carotid ultrasound evaluation were included
in the study. Patients with plaques of the internal carotid artery as
identified by conventional B-mode scanning were investigated also with
the addition of Speckle Reduction Imaging (SRI) with the use of a
4-11-MHz wide band linear transducer. Plaque morphology was rated
according to a standardized protocol by two independent observers.
Results: For the determination of plaque echogenicity, the
reproducibility of SRI (k = 0.83) was higher than that of conventional
B-mode ultrasound (k = 0.68). The interobserver agreement for plaque
surface characterization was also higher for SRI (k = 0.8) than for
conventional B-mode (k = 0.61). At the evaluation of the image quality
through a semiquantitative analysis, SRI was rated superior in the
plaque texture resolution, plaque borders determination, vessel wall
demarcation and fibrous cap depiction. In addition, the level of
“speckle” was reduced with the use of SRI.
Conclusions: SRI is a technique that shows good general agreement with
high-resolution B-mode and can be used for the characterization of
atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery. Furthermore, because this
advanced technique allows reduction of ultrasound artifacts, it improves
the image quality allowing more precise visualization of plaque
morphological details. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights
reserved
