Routine Assessment of Carotid Plaques on Doppler USG and Associated Presenting Symptoms at a Tertiary Care Centre, Lahore

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of carotid plaques on Doppler USG and associated presenting symptoms at Tertiary Care Centre, Lahore

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 366 individuals was conducted from January 2020 to November 2020 at the Radiology Department of ShiekhZayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A consultant radiologist scanned both sides of the extra-cranial carotid artery tree. The DUS of carotid arteries was done with a GE Voluson Expert 730 Doppler ultrasound machine, using a linear probe with a transducer frequency of 6-12.5MHz.

Results: A total of 366 patients underwent bilateral carotid Doppler ultrasound examinations. Our findings showed carotid plaques in 156 (42.62%) patients; the majority were males 105(67.53). The mean age recorded was 61.17 ±9.54 years and the mean body mass index was 25.43±3.40 Kg/m2. The highest number of plaques were noted in the left carotid artery 64 (41.03%), the main location was the common carotid artery 88 (56.41%) and, the majority were homogenous plagues 88 (56.41%).The majority of patients presented with headaches 177 (48.36%). Associated comorbidities were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Conclusion: The accuracy of diagnosing Carotid artery plaques has greatly increased over time payable to radiological innovation. Carotid Doppler ultrasound is a cheap noninvasive modality to detect carotid artery plaques due to its sensitivity, precision, and reliability. Since there is a high frequency of carotid plaques noted in middle age male adults, appropriate screening with prophylactic management can save many diseases from a lower middle-income class.