Comparison Between a New Computer Program and the Reference Software for Gray-Scale Median Analysis of Atherosclerotic Carotid Plaques

PurposeTo compare a new dedicated software program and Adobe Photoshop for gray-scale median (GSM) analysis of B-mode images of carotid plaques. MethodsA series of 42 carotid plaques generating 50% diameter stenosis was evaluated by a single observer. The best segment for visualization of internal carotid artery plaque was identified on a single longitudinal view and images were recorded in JPEG format. Plaque analysis was performed by both programs. After normalization of image intensity (blood=0, adventitial layer=190), histograms were obtained after manual delineation of plaque. Results were compared with nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kendall tau-b correlation analysis. ResultsGSM ranged from 00 to 100 with Adobe Photoshop and from 00 to 96 with IMTPC, with a high grade of similarity between image pairs, and a highly significant correlation (R=0.94, p<.0001). ConclusionsIMTPC software appears suitable for the GSM analysis of carotid plaques. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound43:194-198, 2015;