Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) creates high-resolution cross-sectional images and sagittal reconstructions of not only intraluminal but also extraluminal vascular structures. As a result, IVUS can provide assessment of the degree of stenosis and peri-procedural complication such as intraluminal thrombus, dissection, stent mal-apposition. Moreover, using the virtual histological mapping, the analysis of plaque composition and vulnerability could be possible. The IVUS modality is widely used in interventional cardiology and its use in neurointerventions has gradually increased. This article describes methods of IVUS and results of previous study using IVUS in extracranial and intracranial neurointerventions.

Journal of Neurosonology 5(1):7-12, 2013
Key Words: Intravascular ultrasound, Carotid artery, Ischemic stroke