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01-11-2012 | Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Carotid plaque signal differences among four kinds of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging techniques: A histopathological correlation study

Authors: Ayumi Saito, Makoto Sasaki, Kuniaki Ogasawara, Masakazu Kobayashi, Jiro Hitomi, Shinsuke Narumi, Hideki Ohba, Mao Yamaguchi, Kohsuke Kudo, Yasuo Terayama

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 11/2012

Abstract

Introduction

Several magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques are used to examine atherosclerotic plaque of carotid arteries; however, the best technique for visualizing intraplaque characteristics has yet to be determined. Here, we directly compared four kinds of T1-weighted (T1W) imaging techniques with pathological findings in patients with carotid stenosis.

Methods

A total of 31 patients who were candidates for carotid endarterectomy were prospectively examined using a 1.5-T MRI scanner, which produced four kinds of T1W images, including non-gated spin echo (SE), cardiac-gated black-blood (BB) fast-SE (FSE), magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE), and source image of three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography (SI-MRA). The signal intensity of the carotid plaque was manually measured, and the contrast ratio (CR) against the adjacent muscle was calculated. CRs from the four imaging techniques were compared to each other and correlated with histopathological specimens.

Results

CRs of the carotid plaques mainly containing fibrous tissue, lipid/necrosis, and hemorrhage were significantly different with little overlaps (range: 0.92–1.15, 1.22–1.52, and 1.55–2.30, respectively) on non-gated SE. However, BB-FSE showed remarkable overlaps among the three groups (0.89–1.10, 1.07–1.23, and 1.01–1.42, respectively). MPRAGE could discriminate fibrous plaques from hemorrhagic plaques but not from lipid/necrosis-rich plaques: (0.77–1.07, 1.45–2.43, and 0.85–1.42, respectively). SI-MRA showed the same tendencies (1.01–1.39, 1.45–2.57, and 1.12–1.39, respectively).

Conclusion

Among T1W MR imaging techniques, non-gated SE images can more accurately characterize intraplaque components in patients who underwent CEA when compared with cardiac-gated BB-FSE, MPRAGE, and SI-MRA images.

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Title: Carotid plaque signal differences among four kinds of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging techniques: A histopathological correlation study
Authors: Ayumi Saito
Makoto Sasaki
Kuniaki Ogasawara
Masakazu Kobayashi
Jiro Hitomi
Shinsuke Narumi
Hideki Ohba
Mao Yamaguchi
Kohsuke Kudo
Yasuo Terayama
Publication date: 01-11-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 11/2012
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-012-1025-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Carotid plaque signal differences among four kinds of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging techniques: A histopathological correlation study

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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