Ultrasonographic and histologic characteristics of symptom-free and symptomatic carotid plaque.

The purpose of the study was to determine the reliability of ultrasonography in assessing plaque pathology and to relate it to clinical symptoms. Ten symptom-free patients and 26 with symptomatic carotid plaques with a stenosis > 70%, as detected by arteriography, were assessed by duplex. The findings were compared with the clinical presentation and plaque pathology.