Extracranial carotid arteries: intraplaque hemorrhage and surface ulceration.

The identification of intraplaque hemorrhage with high resolution gray scale ultrasound imaging has been shown to be achievable by those using appropriate technique and attention to detail. Plaque can be classified as either heterogeneous (classifications 1 and 2) or homogeneous (classifications 3 and 4), This presentation describes the methods for distinguishing different types of plaque accurately. Uniformity of terminology is necessary before multi institutional outcome studies can be undertaken concerning the value of plaque characterization before information published in the literature can be adopted and applied to clinical situations around the world.