Significance of high resolution MRI in the identification of carotid plaque

Abstract

The stability of carotid artery plaque serves a key role in the occurrence of stroke. The present study was based on the recruitment of patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) was used to identify the nature of carotid artery plaque, and the results were then used to manage the high-risk group of stroke. The patients were divided equally into a symptomatic group (36 cases) and an asymptomatic group (36 cases). According to the degree of carotid artery stenosis, the patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe stenosis groups, each group comprising 12 patients, and HR-MRI was performed. The proportion of patients with vulnerable plaque in the symptomatic group was higher compared with that in the asymptomatic group (P<0.05). The more severe the stenosis, the higher the proportion of vulnerable plaque that was identified (P<0.05). Compared with carotid ultrasound, HR-MRI was indicated to have the capability to both identify and quantify the different components in the plaque, allowing an assessment of its properties. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that carotid HR-MRI is able to distinguish and quantify the different components of plaque, which may prove to be helpful for the hierarchical management of a population at high risk of stroke.

Comparison of ultrasonic shear wave elastography, AngioPLUS planewave ultrasensitive imaging, and optimized high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating carotid plaque stability

“…MRI imaging technology is characterized by multi-plane and multi-parameter and has a higher resolution for soft tissue. Compared with traditional MRI scanning technology, high-resolution MRI has a higher image resolution and can dynamically observe nourishing blood vessels in plaques and active inflammation in vulnerable plaques ( Sun et al, 2020 ). It has been found ( Zheng et al, 2022 ) that the 3D-TOF sequence can effectively distinguish the status of plaque fibrous cap, and DP-TSE technology can dynamically observe the changes of new vessels and inflammatory cell infiltration in carotid plaque without the use of contrast agents to accurately assess the vulnerability of plaque.…”

Case report: Intensive statin and PCSK-9 inhibitor combo reduces plaque volume and stenosis in ischemic stroke patient

“…According to baseline HR-MRI findings, plaque showed thin and enhanced signal on the surface, with thick and low signal inside; In 3 demension CUBE (GE health care), increased T1 weighted image (T1WI) signal area depicts fibrous cap (due to plaques capillaries), while low signal area indicates lipid or calcification (low signal on T1WI or T2WI indicates calcification, while the relatively high signal on both T1WI and T2 WI indicates lipid) [ 3 , 9 ]. Large lipid core, thin fibrous cap, and ulcer surface are the main characteristics of vulnerable plaque [ 10 ]. Therefore, this plaque is a vulnerable plaque.…”

Optoacoustic biomarkers of lipids, hemorrhage and inflammation in carotid atherosclerosis

“…Nevertheless, even if current CT scanners need only seconds to image the region of interest, employ ionizing radiation and often necessitate the use of possibly toxic contrast agents. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides detailed visualizations of plaque microanatomy and consistency without the use of ionizing radiation (5). Despite advantages, MRA is characterized by long scanning times and costly/bulky equipment.…”