High-Resolution Multi-Contrast MRI of the Carotid Artery Wall for Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Plaques

Carotid atherosclerosis is an important medical condition associated with a high potential risk of stroke. In addition to the degree of artery stenosis, the size and tissue composition of the atherosclerotic plaque are thought to be important factors for disease management and prognosis. This unit presents a protocol for high-resolution multi-contrast MRI of the carotid artery wall. The protocol employs a combination of bright-blood magnetic resonance angiography and black-blood imaging with different contrast weightings (T1, T2, and proton-density contrasts) in order to provide comprehensive characterization of the atherosclerotic lesion. The images obtained with the protocol presented here can be used to identify basic tissue components of the atherosclerotic plaque (fibrous matrix, lipid core, calcificates, and hemorrhage) and to conduct morphological measurements of plaque size and distribution.