To evaluate the vulnerability of carotid arteriosclerosis plaque by ultrasound real-time tissue elastography in patients with SSS-TOAST 1 style cerebral infarction, and discussing the value of the technique in assessment of the clinical course after cerebral infarction.

There were 113 patients of SSS-TOAST 1 style cerebral infarction who had carotid arteriosclerosis plaque and 48 patients of contrast group who had carotid arteriosclerosis plaque selected by ultrasound in Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences. The results between two groups were compared. The cerebral infarction group was divided into two sub-groups according to the clinical course of patients after cerebral infarction, and the difference between them was compared.

The size had no significant difference between cerebral infarction group and contrast group as well as between aggravated group and non-aggravated group (t=15.61, 10.77, 4.52, P<0.05). The real-time tissue elastography of carotid arteriosclerosis plaques were red-green in most patients of cerebral infarction group. The real-time tissue elastography of carotid arteriosclerosis plaques were green-blue in most patients of in control group. The value of elasticity of plaque, vessel wall and stiffness of carotid arteriosclerosis plaque between cerebral infarction group and control group had significant differences (t=15.61, 10.77, 4.52, P<0.05). The value of real-time tissue elastography between aggravated group and non- aggravated group had significant difference (t=6.39, 2.30, 3.80, P<0.05).

Real-time tissue elastography could evaluate the stiffness of carotid arteriosclerosis plaque, which was related with the vulnerability of carotid arteriosclerosis plaque. The values of elasticity of plaque, vessel wall and stiffness of carotid arteriosclerosis plaque in patients with SSS-TOAST 1 style cerebral infarction were lower, and the vulnerability of carotid arteriosclerosis plaque was higher. Real-time tissue elastography had some worth in evaluating the clinical course of patients after cerebral infarction.