Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the carotids has recently emerged as a complementary examination to conventional carotid Doppler ultrasonography. It is an examination providing improved visualization of the vascular lumen, more accurate and detailed delineation of the vascular wall, and identification of atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography has specific advantages over conventional ultrasonography and plays an important role in the diagnosis of the vulnerable carotid plaque, as it can identify intraplaque neovascularization and carotid plaque ulceration. Given the specific advantages and improved imaging of the carotids provided by this method, radiologists should be familiar with it. This pictorial essay illustrates the advantages of this technique and discusses its value in the imaging of carotid arteries.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Ulcer ; Ultrasonography* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

Renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) are rare lesions with a prevalence of less than 1% in the general population. Renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare lesions with an estimated incidence of less than 0.04%. The coexistence of these two clinical entities is extremely rare and narrows the available treatment options by endovascular or open surgery. We describe a case of a giant symptomatic RAA type III, which was combined with a high-flow renal AVM in the right kidney. Using two vascular plugs, the RAA was excluded successfully. The perfusion of the right kidney’s lower pole was preserved by implantation of two covered stents in the inferior segmental renal artery.