Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using the spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) method for the evaluation of intraplaque neovascularization in carotid artery plaque

• Project/Area Number: 17K16478
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Radiation science
• Research Institution: Iwate Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Oura Kazumasa 岩手医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20611015)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2018)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000)
• Keywords: 造影超音波検査 / 超音波造影剤 / STIC / 頚動脈 / 頸動脈プラーク / プラーク内新生血管 / 頸動脈超音波

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The presence of intraplaque neovascularization has been identified as a factor in unstable carotid plaque. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) has been used to evaluate such neovascularization. The spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) method is an approach developed for displaying fetal cardiac images on multiplanar displays. We have examined contrast media flowing within plaque three-dimensionally using the STIC method and assessed with gray-scale median. We evaluated whether the STIC method was superior to conventional contrast-enhanced US with time intensity curve in evaluating neovascularization, using a pathological specimen provided from carotid endarterectomy. Both of the STIC method and conventional contrast-enhanced US correlated with the area of neovascularization in the plaque. However, there were no significant difference between STIC method and conventional contrast-enhanced US.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

STIC法による頚動脈プラーク新生血管の評価法を確立することにより、従来の2D造影超音波検査よりも正確にプラーク内の新生血管を観察可能となり、より正確な脳梗塞発症リスクの評価が可能になると考えたが、今回の研究ではSTIC方の優位性は証明できなかった。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 頸動脈超音波検査の最新技術と今後の課題 (2018)
  • Author(s): 大浦一雅、大庭英樹、寺山靖夫
  • Journal Title: 臨床検査 Volume: 2 Pages: 144-149
• [Journal Article] spatio-temporal image correlation(STIC)法を用いた造影頸動脈超音波検査によるプラーク内新生血管の評価 (2017)
  • Author(s): 加藤正義、大浦一雅、大庭英樹、小林正和、小笠原邦昭、人見次郎、寺山靖夫
  • Journal Title: 岩手医学雑誌 Volume: 69 Pages: 255-264
  • NAID: 40021420301
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Comparison of Three-Dimensional T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Plaque Images for Severe Stenosis of the Cervical Carotid Artery (2017)
  • Author(s): Shimada Yasuyoshi、Oikawa Kohki、Fujiwara Shunrou、Ogasawara Yasushi、Sato Yuiko、Narumi Shinsuke、Kato Tadayoshi、Oura Kazumasa、Terayama Yasuo、Sasaki Makoto、Fujimoto Kentaro、Yoshida Jun、Ogasawara Kuniaki
  • Journal Title: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases Volume: 26 Issue: 9 Pages: 1916-1922
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.06.029
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Preoperative cervical carotid artery contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings are associated with development of microembolic signals on transcranial Doppler during carotid exposure in endarterectomy. (2017)
  • Author(s): Oikawa K, Kato T, Oura K, Narumi S, Sasaki M, Fujiwara S, Kobayashi M, Matsumoto Y, Nomura JI, Yoshida K, Terayama Y, Ogasawara K.
  • Journal Title: Atherosclerosis Volume: 260 Pages: 87-93
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.03.026
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research / Acknowledgement Compliant