High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Atherosclerosis occurs in diverse vascular beds and may result in tissue ischemia. Current understanding of atherosclerotic disease has been advanced by imaging techniques such as high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) studies of the coronary and carotid arteries. In these vessels, atherosclerotic plaque components can be visualized to risk-stratify patients, select treatments and advance our understanding of atherosclerosis pathophysiology in vivo. These imaging techniques are now being applied to evaluate intracranial arterial disease, both atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic. This review highlights the mechanisms by which intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) causes ischemia, the potential of HRMRI for identifying intracranial arterial pathology, the limitations of HRMRI in the intracranial circulation, and future applications of HRMRI for ICAD.