Application Of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques In Detection Of Carotid Plaques’ Vulnerability

Objective： To study the application of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and positronemission tomography/computer tomography (PET-CT) in detection of carotidatherosclerotic plaques,which could provide clinical basis for carotid atherosclerosisearly warning by comparing inflammatory reactions in different plaques.Methods：41patients with their carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)>2mm whounderwent MRI and PET were included in this study. The different findings of MRI andPET were analyzed,such as fiber caps on the surface of atherosclerotic plaques andvascular compositions in plaques. The location of plaques was marked by MRI and thestandard target background ratio(TBR) was calculated. The inflammation reactions indifferent plaques were compared and the unstable plaque were identified.Results：The TBR value was significantly higher in the patients with ruptured fiber capsthan in those with intact fiber caps. The TBR value was the highest in bleeding plaquefollowed by in lipid plaque, collagen plaque, and calcified plaque. Significant differencewas found in the TBR value among other plaques except for collagen plaque andcalcified plaque. TBRmax is reduced after Statin treatment.Conclusion: Combined application of noninvasive technologies MRI and PET-CT canbe used in early diagnosis and evaluation of carotid atherosclerosis.