Determination of Ultrastructural Properties of Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques by Scanning Acoustic Microscopy, Micro-Computer Tomography, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy

Abstract

Microcalcification is the precursor of vulnerability of plaques in humans. Visualization of such small structures in vivo with high spatial resolution is an unsolved issue. The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) in the determination of atherosclerotic plaques with calcifications by validating this technique with micro-computer tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The fibrocalcific plaques were obtained from 12 different patients and initially examined with micro-CT. The images exhibited calcifications within these plaques. For imaging with SAM, approximately 5 μm thick slices were prepared. Sound speed values within calcified regions were measured to be greater than the ones in collagen-rich regions. These fibrocalcific plaques were also examined with SEM and EDS revealing collagen and calcium deposition within these samples. The consistency of the results obtained by all of the modalities involved in our study is an indication of the potential of SAM as a clinical tool for the diagnosis of vulnerable plaques.

Carotid artery plaque structure in the context of symptomatic/asymptomatic nature of carotid artery stenosis

“…15 As we previously reported, scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) may be considered as another optional imaging tool obtaining useful information about structural and mechanical information of atherosclerotic plaque. 8,16 SAM provides differentiation between collagen-rich areas and calcifi ed regions, so it may be benefi cial to determine high-risk lesions in clinics. In our study, we have enlarged the patient number and evaluated the plaque structure in the context of symptomatic or asymptomatic disease.…”

“…We previously reported that scanning acoustic microscopy may be a useful clinical tool for the diagnosis of vulnerable plaques. 8 In this report, we have enlarged our patients number and we have evaluated the atherosclerotic plaque-calcifi cation volumes of the patients in the context of symptomatic or asymptomatic disease.…”

Lokal Anestezi̇ İle Karoti̇s Endarterektomi̇ Operasyonun Erken Dönem Sonuçlari

“…Hastaların nörolojik açıdan semptomatik olup olmadığı, internal karotis arter içerisindeki stenozun yüzdesi ve plağın radyolojik görüntüleme yöntemleri sonucunda ortaya çıkan morfolojik özellikleri gibi birçok faktör göz önünde bulundurularak hastalara açık cerrahi ya da girişimsel yöntemler ile tedavi seçenekleri sunulabilmektedir (2,3). Konu hakkında literatür her geçen gün gelişmekte, kılavuzlar güncellenmektedir.…”

Effects of radiation exposure on dermal collagen: A multi modal approach

“…Although this method offers high resolution, it is difficult to relate the observed region to traditional histology analysis. Recent advancements in Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) has induced considerable interest to this method for assessment of both histological and elastic properties using the same tissue section 13,14 . This technique demonstrates great concordance with histology analysis based on light microscopy 15,16 .…”