Which plaque descriptor indicates a homogeneous plaque with no surface irregularities?

Which plaque descriptor indicates a homogeneous plaque with no surface irregularities?

• A. Calcified plaque
• B. Intraplaque hemorrhage
• C. Ulcerated plaque
• D. Smooth plaque

Answer: (D)

When evaluating plaque morphology on imaging, the idea is to connect texture and surface with stability. A homogeneous plaque has uniform tissue characteristics throughout, and “no surface irregularities” means the outer boundary is smooth without any ulcers or defects. The descriptor that captures both of these ideas is smooth plaque, indicating a uniform composition and a continuous, even surface. In contrast, calcified plaque appears as bright, highly echogenic areas with shadowing and can still have surface changes; intraplaque hemorrhage introduces heterogeneity due to blood products within the plaque; ulcerated plaque shows a surface defect or crater. So the smooth plaque descriptor best matches a homogeneous plaque with no surface irregularities.

When evaluating plaque morphology on imaging, the idea is to connect texture and surface with stability. A homogeneous plaque has uniform tissue characteristics throughout, and “no surface irregularities” means the outer boundary is smooth without any ulcers or defects. The descriptor that captures both of these ideas is smooth plaque, indicating a uniform composition and a continuous, even surface.

In contrast, calcified plaque appears as bright, highly echogenic areas with shadowing and can still have surface changes; intraplaque hemorrhage introduces heterogeneity due to blood products within the plaque; ulcerated plaque shows a surface defect or crater. So the smooth plaque descriptor best matches a homogeneous plaque with no surface irregularities.