Abstract
Background: Carotid plaque morphology and tissue composition help assess risk stratification of stroke events. Many post-processing image techniques based on CT and MR images have been widely used in related research, such as image segmentation, 3D reconstruction, and computer fluid dynamics. However, the criteria for the 3D numerical model of carotid plaque established by CT and MR angiographic image data remain open to questioning.Method: We accurately duplicated the geometry and simulated it using computer software to make a 3D numerical model. The initial images were obtained by CTA and TOF-MRA. MIMICS (Materialize’s interactive medical image control system) software was used to process the images to generate three-dimensional solid models of blood vessels and plaques. The subsequent output was exported to the ANSYS software to generate finite element simulation results for the further hemodynamic study.Results: The 3D models of carotid plaque of TOF-MRA and CTA were simulated by using computer software. CTA has a high-density resolution for carotid plaque, the boundary of the CTA image is obvious, and the main component of which is a calcified tissue. However, the density resolution of TOF-MRA for the carotid plaque and carotid artery was not as good as that of CTA. The results show that there is a large deviation between the TOF-MRA and CTA 3D model of plaque in the carotid artery due to the unclear recognition of plaque boundary during 3D reconstruction, and this can further affect the simulation results of hemodynamics.Conclusion: In this study, two-dimensional images and three-dimensional models of carotid plaques obtained by two angiographic techniques were compared. The potential of these two imaging methods in clinical diagnosis and fluid dynamics of carotid plaque was evaluated, and the selectivity of image post-processing analysis to original medical image acquisition was revealed.
Highlights
Stroke is the most frequent neurological disease worldwide and one of the leading medical burdens, and it is one that will keep increasing over the few decades (Seshadri et al, 2006; Lozano et al, 2012; Go et al, 2013)
Written informed consent was obtained from the individuals for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in this article
The results showed that the shape of the blood vessel was basically the same, but the thickness of multiple sites was significantly different (Figure 2C)
Summary
Stroke is the most frequent neurological disease worldwide and one of the leading medical burdens, and it is one that will keep increasing over the few decades (Seshadri et al, 2006; Lozano et al, 2012; Go et al, 2013). In the study of carotid plaque, it is important to consider that the contribution of different features to the occurrence of cerebrovascular events varies greatly. Biomechanical, and pathological features are thought to be related to plaque progression (Takaya et al, 2006; Chrencik et al, 2019; Wang et al, 2019). Morphological and biomechanical features such as plaque area and plaque burden can be used to predict the progression of plaque and have been proved more accurate than a single risk factor (Wang et al, 2019). Carotid plaque morphology and tissue composition help assess risk stratification of stroke events. The criteria for the 3D numerical model of carotid plaque established by CT and MR angiographic image data remain open to questioning
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