Clinical Applications of 3.0t High Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HRMRI) in the Analysis of Carotid Artery Plaques

Objective: Use of head and neck coils through a 3.0T high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) scanner to scan and analyze extra cranial carotid artery plaque components for its nature, composition, stability, wall thickness, and lumen stenosis. Methods: Ten patients (3 females and 7 males) with 50-99% stenosis of the carotid artery due to atherosclerotic plaque formation were used in this study. They were selected from a pool of hospitalized patients at a university medical center between May and November of 2017. Gadodiamide was injected to contrast the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan image. This was then imported into the carotid artery plaque imaging analysis software for evaluation. Results: Analytical results of HRMRI analysis of plaque stratification in patients with right carotid artery plaques: area unit of mm2 - levels 4 through 7 showing 0 because the areas had only carotid artery without plaque components. Conclusion: The 3.0T HRMRI scanner can accurately analyze carotid artery plaque composition, morphology, and the percentage of stenosis. This technique maybe used as an atraumatic non-radiation study to assess the severity and stability of carotid artery plaques, and in the prediction of risks for embolic stroke.