Correlation of Carotid Atheromatous Plaque Inflammation Using USPIO-Enhanced MR Imaging With Degree of Luminal Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammation is a recognized risk factor for the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The study explores the relationship between the degree of Magnetic Resonance (MR)-defined inflammation using Ultra Small Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide (USPIO) particles and the severity of luminal stenosis in asymptomatic carotid plaques. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with an asymptomatic carotid stenosis of > or = 40% underwent multi-sequence USPIO-enhanced MR imaging. Stenosis severity was measured according to the NASCET and ECST methods. RESULTS: No demonstrable relationship between inflammation as measured by USPIO-enhanced signal change and the degree of luminal stenosis was found. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation and stenosis are likely to be independent risk factors, although this needs to be further validated.