A fast screening protocol for carotid plaques imaging using 3D multi-contrast MRI without contrast agent
Na Zhang1, Lei Zhang2, Qi Yang3
1Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Shenzhen, China; Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Purpose:
To implement a fast (~15min) MRI protocol for carotid plaque screening using 3D multi-contrast MRI sequences without contrast agent on a 3Tesla MRI scanner.
Materials And Methods:
7 healthy volunteers and 25 patients with clinically confirmed transient ischemic attack or suspected cerebrovascular ischemia were included in this study. The proposed protocol, including 3D T1-weighted and T2-weighted SPACE (variable-flip-angle 3D turbo spin echo), and T1-weighted magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE) was performed first and was followed by 2D T1-weighted and T2-weighted turbo spin echo, and post-contrast T1-weighted SPACE sequences. Image quality, number of plaques, and vessel wall thicknesses measured at the intersection of the plaques were evaluated and compared between sequences.
Results:
Average examination time of the proposed protocol was 14.6min. The average image quality scores of 3D T1-weighted, T2-weighted SPACE, and T1-weighted magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo were 3.69, 3.75, and 3.48, respectively. There was no significant difference in detecting the number of plaques and vulnerable plaques using pre-contrast 3D images with or without post-contrast T1-weighted SPACE. The 3D SPACE and 2D turbo spin echo sequences had excellent agreement (R=0.96 for T1-weighted and 0.98 for T2-weighted, p<0.001) regarding vessel wall thickness measurements.
Conclusion:
The proposed protocol demonstrated the feasibility of attaining carotid plaque screening within a 15-minute scan, which provided sufficient anatomical coverage and critical diagnostic information. This protocol offers the potential for rapid and reliable screening for carotid plaques without contrast agent.
Insights
A new 15-minute MRI protocol enables fast carotid plaque screening without contrast agents. This rapid, non-contrast method provides crucial diagnostic information for detecting carotid artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Carotid plaque buildup is a significant risk factor for stroke.
- Current MRI protocols for carotid plaque assessment can be time-consuming.
- Contrast agents carry potential risks and increase examination time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a fast, 15-minute, 3D multi-contrast MRI protocol for carotid plaque screening.
- To evaluate the feasibility of non-contrast MRI for carotid plaque detection.
- To assess image quality and diagnostic information provided by the rapid protocol.
Main Methods:
- A 15-minute MRI protocol using 3D T1-weighted and T2-weighted SPACE, and T1-weighted MPRAGE sequences was implemented on a 3T scanner.
- The protocol was tested on 7 healthy volunteers and 25 patients with suspected cerebrovascular ischemia.
- Image quality, plaque detection, and vessel wall thickness were compared between pre-contrast 3D sequences and conventional 2D sequences.
Main Results:
- The average scan time was 14.6 minutes, achieving the target of ~15 minutes.
- High image quality scores were obtained for the 3D sequences (T1-SPACE: 3.69, T2-SPACE: 3.75, T1-MPRAGE: 3.48).
- Pre-contrast 3D images showed no significant difference in plaque detection compared to post-contrast images, and excellent agreement in vessel wall thickness measurements with 2D sequences.
Conclusions:
- The proposed 15-minute MRI protocol is feasible for rapid carotid plaque screening.
- Non-contrast 3D MRI sequences provide sufficient diagnostic information for carotid plaque assessment.
- This protocol offers a fast, reliable, and contrast-agent-free approach for screening carotid plaques.
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Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...