Plaque imaging for stroke prevention and treatment: An update and future perspective

Critical decision-making regarding the mode and timing of surgical treatment is mandatory for proper management of occlusive cerebrovascular diseases, especially in Japan's aging society. Recently, in addition to B-mode duplex ultrasound, various modes of plaque characterization such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have been introduced to clinical practice mainly for carotid stenosis. At present, understanding of plaque vulnerability as well as degree of stenosis is important for critical judgement of surgical treatment. Here the recent progress of the various plaque characterization techniques is reviewed in relation to their clinical significance and future perspective.