Imaging research progress of intraplaque vascularization and hemorrhage in carotid atherosclerotic plaques

Intraplaque hemorrhage is one of the main factors involved in atherosclerotic plaque instability. The diagnosis of intraplaque hemorrhage is very important for the correct staging, treatment and prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with carotid plaque. Histopathological examination is the "gold standard" to evaluate intraplaque haemorrhage, but it required carotid endarterectomy surgery to collect the tissue sample. Therefore, imaging examination can be used as a non-invasive method to detect intraplaque haemorrhage. This paper reviews the main characteristics and development prospects of intraplaque vascularization and intraplaque haemorrhage in ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and nuclear medicine.