Carotid plaque MR imaging

Although treatment strategy for carotid atherosclerotic disease has been based on the degree of its stenosis, vulnerable plaque prone to rupture is also considered as an important risk factor for subsequent thromboembolic ischemic events. MRI is a promising in vivo modality that can identify various plaque characteristics such as lipid-rich/necrotic core, fibrous cap, intraplaque hemorrhage and calcification. Recent studies revealed that unstable plaque characteristics such as thin/ruptured fibrous cap, intraplaque hemorrhage and larger lipid-rich/necrotic core were significantly associated with recent stroke as well as future ischemic events. Carotid MRI can be clinically used for the evaluation of carotid vulnerable plaque.