Adiabatic inversion recovery prepared ultrashort echo time MRI strongly correlated with micro-CT for characterizing carotid plaque calcification, with T2* negatively correlating with mineral density (R=0.948; P<0.001).
Observational (n=7)
Can an adiabatic inversion recovery prepared 2D ultrashort echo time sequence accurately characterize carotid plaque calcification compared to micro-CT?
An adiabatic inversion recovery prepared 2D ultrashort echo time MRI sequence can directly image and quantify carotid plaque calcification, correlating well with micro-CT mineral density.
Effect estimate: R = 0.948
p-value: p=< 0.001
Carotid plaque calcification normally appears as a signal void with clinical MR sequences. Here, we describe the use of an adiabatic inversion recovery prepared two-dimensional ultrashort echo time sequence to image and characterize carotid plaque calcification using a clinical 3-T scanner. T(1), T 2*, and free water content were measured for seven carotid samples, and the results were compared with micro-CT imaging. Conventional gradient echo and fast spin echo images were also acquired for comparison. Correlations between T(1), T 2*, free water concentration, and mineral density were performed. There was a close correspondence between inversion recovery prepared two-dimensional ultrashort echo time morphologic and micro-CT appearances. Carotid plaque calcification varied significantly from sample to sample, with T(1) s ranging from 94 ± 19 to 328 ± 21 msec, T 2*s ranging from 0.31 ± 0.12 to 2.15 ± 0.25 msec, and free water concentration ranging from 5.7 ± 2.3% to 16.8 ± 3.4%. There was a significant positive correlation between T(1)(R = 0.709; P < 0.074), T 2* (R = 0.816; P < 0.025), and free water concentration, a negative correlation between T(1) (R = 0.773; P < 0.042), T 2* (R = 0.948; P < 0.001) and CT measured mineral density, and a negative correlation between free water concentration (R = 0.936; P < 0.002) and mineral density.
Du et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Carotid plaque calcification (n=7). Adiabatic inversion recovery prepared two-dimensional ultrashort echo time sequence vs. Micro-CT imaging was evaluated on Correlation between T2* and CT measured mineral density (R = 0.948, p=< 0.001). Adiabatic inversion recovery prepared ultrashort echo time MRI strongly correlated with micro-CT for characterizing carotid plaque calcification, with T2* negatively correlating with mineral density (R=0.948; P<0.001).