A carotid plaque of 11 x 4 mm generally indicates a large plaque size, which tends to lead to carotid artery stenosis.
The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery is usually no more than 1 mm, more than 1 mm is thickening, and more than 1.5 mm is considered to be atheromatous plaque formation. In most cases as long as the plaque does not cause stenosis, plaque size is not a valid primary basis for determining the degree of risk.
In general, the severity depends on the degree of stenosis, which is determined by the thickness of the plaque and the diameter of the vessel, but if the plaque only grows longitudinally along the vessel wall it is not a significant threat to the patient. While looking at the thickness of the plaque, it is also important to know where the plaque formed and the radius of the vessel.
If the plaque thickness leads to a stenosis of more than 70%, surgical intervention is usually required, with endovascular debulking and endovascular stenting as the main surgical modalities. The severity of plaque and blood supply to the brain will be evaluated by ultrasound and CT to choose the right treatment plan, and the treatment should be carried out under the guidance of specialized physicians.