Key result
Enhanced CT scan and black blood MRI clearly demonstrated carotid plaque characteristics, including calcification, neovascularization, and composition, which correlated well with histological findings.
Why the study?
Does neuroradiological imaging (echogram, enhanced CT, BB MRI) accurately characterize carotid plaque morphology compared to histological findings in patients with carotid stenosis?
Observational (n=14)
No
Does neuroradiological imaging (echogram, enhanced CT, BB MRI) accurately characterize carotid plaque morphology compared to histological findings in patients with carotid stenosis?
Enhanced CT and black blood MRI can accurately characterize carotid plaque components such as lipid core, fibrous cap, and hemorrhage, which may help predict stroke risk.
May support noninvasive carotid plaque assessment; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
We evaluate the morphology of the carotid plaque using echogram, CT scan and MRI and compare those neuroradiological findings with histological findings of the plaque. We evaluated 14 cases operated with carotid endoarterectomy for carotid stenosis. We estimated the findings of the echogram, enhanced CT scan and black blood MRI (BB MRI), in comparison with the histological findings of the carotid plaque. Echogram, enhanced CT scan and MRI clearly demonstrated the plaque in cervical carotid stenosis. In most cases, echograms could show the plaque, but in some cases could not due to the back shadow caused by plaque calcification. Enhanced CT scan clearly demonstrated the calcification and the neovasculization in plaque. BB MRI clearly showed the carotid plaque. Low-intensity lesions in T1 and T2 weighted images showed hard and fibrous plaque. High-intensity lesions in T1 and T2 weighted images showed soft plaque with lipoprotein and/or hemorrhage. This study demonstrates the potential of a systemic approach to atherosclerotic plaque with enhanced CT scan and BB MRI compared with histological findings of the carotid plaque. These estimations elucidate the growth mechanism of carotid plaque.
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Nishikawa et al. (2006) conducted an observational in Carotid stenosis (n=14). Neuroradiological imaging (echogram, enhanced CT, BB MRI) vs. Histological findings was evaluated on Correlation of neuroradiological findings with histological characteristics of carotid plaque. Enhanced CT scan and black blood MRI clearly demonstrated carotid plaque characteristics, including calcification, neovascularization, and composition, which correlated well with histological findings.
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