Computerized analysis of ultrasound images: potential associations between texture and motion properties of the diseased arterial wall

We investigated potential associations between motion and texture features of the diseased arterial wall (atherosclerotic plaques). To this end, various motion indices representing velocity, amplitude and diastole-to-systole displacement, and texture features based on first-and second-order statistics were estimated. Associations were revealed by using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the statistical significance of the results was validated through permutation tests. It was concluded that (a) heterogeneous material composition of the plaque reduces its movement in the radial and longitudinal directions, probably because of interactions between different materials and (b) bright image regions (echogenic materials) moved more intensely in the longitudinal direction than darker image regions (anechoic materials), while the opposite was observed for motion in the radial direction. Further investigations including large samples of real data, additional features and histological data, are necessary to draw valid conclusions about motion activities and mechanical interactions of atherosclerotic plaque components.