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Magnetic resonance imaging and three‐dimensional ultrasound of carotid atherosclerosis: Mapping regional differences
Author(s) -
Krasinski Adam,
Chiu Bernard,
Fenster Aaron,
Parraga Grace
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.21709
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , ultrasound , multislice , carotid arteries , radiology , nuclear medicine , cardiology
Purpose To evaluate differences in carotid atherosclerosis measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and three‐dimensional ultrasound (3DUS). Materials and Methods Ten subject volunteers underwent carotid 3DUS and MRI (multislice black blood fast spin echo, T1‐weighted contrast, double inversion recovery, 0.5 mm in‐plane resolution, 2 mm slice, 3.0 T) within 1 hour. 3DUS and MR images were manually segmented by two observers providing vessel wall and lumen contours for quantification of vessel wall volume (VWV) and generation of carotid thickness maps. Results MRI VWV (1040 ± 210 mm 3 ) and 3DUS VWV (540 ± 110 mm 3 ) were significantly different ( P < 0.0001). When normalized for the estimated adventitia volume, mean MRI VWV decreased 240 ± 50 mm 3 and was significantly different from 3DUS VWV ( P < 0.001). Two‐dimensional carotid maps showed qualitative evidence of regional differences in the plaque and vessel wall thickness between MR and 3DUS in all subjects. Power Doppler US confirmed that heterogeneity in the common carotid artery in all patients resulted from apparent flow disturbances, not atherosclerotic plaque. Conclusion MRI and 3DUS VWV were significantly different and carotid maps showed homogeneous thickness differences and heterogeneity in specific regions of interest identified as MR flow artifacts in the common carotid artery. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:901–908. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.