Atherosclerotic plaque is the material that builds up on the inner lining of arteries in the disease process of atherosclerosis. On ultrasound, plaques can appear in several different forms: calcified plaques are bright and create acoustic shadows, fibrous plaques appear as smooth, moderately echogenic thickenings, and soft or lipid-rich plaques may be hypoechoic and harder to see. The composition and surface characteristics of plaque matter clinically because irregular or ulcerated plaques are more likely to cause blood clots and strokes than smooth, stable ones. In carotid ultrasound, documenting the size, location, and characteristics of plaque is a key part of every examination.
Sonography Term