Abstract
Background Carotid intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) and lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) have been associated with accelerated plaque growth, luminal narrowing, future surface disruption and development of symptomatic events. It has also been reported that unstable plaque which contains LRNC or IPH is associated with an increased number of emboli after carotid artery stenting. Therefore, a simple screening method to detect these components in the plaque is needed. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images from time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF-MRA) are widely and routinely used for screening carotid artery stenosis. This study examined whether high-intensity signal (HIS) in the plaque on MIP images from routine TOF-MRA could quantify IPH. Methods Seventy six patients with a diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis underwent carotid MR imaging. Two experienced reviewers first assessed the presence of HIS in the plaque on MIP images from TOF-MRA and then, blinded to the results, assessed plaque component volumes (IPH, LRNC, Fibrous tissue and Calcification volume) on multicontrast cross sectional MRI using a specialized software suite for plaque analysis. Results Eight carotid plaques produced HIS in the plaque on MIP images from TOF-MRA. In the HIS-positive plaque group (P group; n=8), IPH volume and LRNC volume were significantly higher than those in the HIS negative group (N group; n=68) (IPH; 142.8±97.7mm3 vs 13.4 ±36.1 mm3, P<0.001. LRNC; 379.8±203.4 mm3 vs 106.4 ±122.1 mm3, p<0.001). There were no differences in the fibrous tissue and calcification volume between the P and N groups. Conclusions Our results strongly suggest an association between the presence of carotid LRNC with IPH and HIS on MIP images from TOF-MRA. TOF-MRA is routinely used in atherosclerosis screening and the validation of high signal on MIP images has created a valuable tool in the assessment of carotid plaque vulnerability. Funding None.
Highlights
Carotid intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) and lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) have been associated with accelerated plaque growth, luminal narrowing, future surface disruption and development of symptomatic events
This study examined whether high-intensity signal (HIS) in the plaque on Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images from routine time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF-MRA) could quantify IPH
Our results strongly suggest an association between the presence of carotid LRNC with IPH and HIS on MIP images from TOF-MRA
Summary
Carotid intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) and lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC) have been associated with accelerated plaque growth, luminal narrowing, future surface disruption and development of symptomatic events. It has been reported that unstable plaque which contains LRNC or IPH is associated with an increased number of emboli after carotid artery stenting. A simple screening method to detect these components in the plaque is needed. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images from time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF-MRA) are widely and routinely used for screening carotid artery stenosis. This study examined whether high-intensity signal (HIS) in the plaque on MIP images from routine TOF-MRA could quantify IPH. Group (P group; n=8), IPH volume and LRNC volume were significantly higher than those in the HIS negative group (N group; n=68) There were no differences in the fibrous tissue and calcification volume between the P and N groups
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