Abstract:

Objective　To analyze the components and features of carotid atherosclerotic plaques with 256-slice spiral Computed Tomography.　Methods　234 cases with suspected carotid atherosclerotic plaques received  CTA (CT Angiography, CTA) examination. All cases were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to having atherosclerotic plaque or not.The components and features of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed by different CT values.　Results　Atherosclerotic plaques were found in 266 carotid arteries, including lipid plaques(51), fibrous plaques(26)，calcified plaques(67),and mixed plaques(122).163 arteries were found normal. The occurrence rate of cerebral infarction in the group of lipid plaque was higher than that in the groups of fibrous and calcified plaques（P＜0.01）；The occurrence rate of cerebral infarction in the group of calcified lipid plaques was higher than that in the group of calcified fibrous plaques（P＜0.01）；The occurrence rate of ulceration in the group of plaques with lipid was higher than that in the groups of plaques with fiber（P＜0.05）；　Conclusion　Characteristics and morphology of carotid atherosclerotic plaques can be accurately assessed by 256-slices CT and their stabilities  preliminarily evaluated.

Key words: X-ray computer, Angiography, Carotid artery, Atherosclerotic plaque