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EJNMMI Research

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Ultrasound | Original research

Carotid plaque inflammatory activity assessed by 2-[18F]FDG-PET imaging decrease after a neurological thromboembolic event

Authors: Laerke Urbak, Rasmus S. Ripa, Benjamin V. Sandholt, Andreas Kjaer, Henrik Sillesen, Martin Graebe

Published in: EJNMMI Research | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is comprised by plaque composition driven by inflammatory activity and these features can be depicted with 3D ultrasound and 2-[18F]FDG-PET, respectively. The study investigated timely changes in carotid artery plaque inflammation and morphology after a thromboembolic event with PET/CT and novel ultrasound volumetric grayscale median (GSM) readings. Patients with a single hemisphere-specific neurological symptom and the presence of an ipsilateral carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque were prospectively included to both 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT and 3D ultrasound scans of the plaque immediately after their event and again three months later. On PET/CT images the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) was measured and the volumetric ultrasound acquisitions were analyzed using a semiautomated software measuring GSM values.

Results

Baseline scans were performed by a mean of 7 days (range 2–14) after the symptom and again after 98 days (range 91–176). For the entire group (n = 14), we found a decrease in average SUV_max from baseline to follow-up of − 0.18 (95% confidence interval: − 0.34 to − 0.02, P = 0.034). GSM did not increase significantly over time (mean change: + 2.21, 95% confidence interval: − 17.02 to 21.44, P = 0.808).

Conclusion

A decrease in culprit lesion 2-[18F]FDG-uptake 3 months after an event indicates a decrease in inflammatory activity, suggesting that carotid plaque stabilization over time. 3D ultrasound morphological quantitative differences in GSM were not detectable after 3 months.

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Title: Carotid plaque inflammatory activity assessed by 2-[18F]FDG-PET imaging decrease after a neurological thromboembolic event
Authors: Laerke Urbak
Rasmus S. Ripa
Benjamin V. Sandholt
Andreas Kjaer
Henrik Sillesen
Martin Graebe
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Ultrasound
Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
Carotid Endarterectomy
Ultrasound
Positron Emission Tomography
Published in: EJNMMI Research / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2191-219X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-021-00773-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Carotid plaque inflammatory activity assessed by 2-[18F]FDG-PET imaging decrease after a neurological thromboembolic event

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

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