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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
09:36

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Published on: August 12, 2025

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Association between carotid artery plaque inflammation and brain MRI

Luca Saba1, Letizia Lai2, Pierleone Lucatelli3

  • 1Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari, Polo di Monserrato, ss. 554 Monserrato (Cagliari) 09045, Italy.

Journal of Neuroradiology = Journal De Neuroradiologie
|November 16, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages, in carotid plaques are linked to stroke and TIA symptoms. More macrophages correlate with non-lacunar brain infarcts detected by MRI.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Carotid artery plaques are a major cause of ischemic stroke.
  • Inflammation within plaques plays a critical role in plaque instability and cerebrovascular events.
  • Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for detecting ischemic damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between inflammatory cell presence in surgically treated carotid plaques and brain MRI findings.
  • To determine if specific inflammatory cell types correlate with cerebrovascular events and infarcts.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective analysis of 40 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
  • Brain MRI (1.5 Tesla) to identify lacunar and non-lacunar infarcts.
  • Immuno-cytochemical analysis of carotid plaques to quantify inflammatory cells, including macrophages (CD68).

Main Results:

  • Symptomatic patients (stroke/TIA) had significantly more inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, in their carotid plaques compared to asymptomatic patients (P < 0.001).
  • A strong positive correlation was found between the number of macrophages and non-lacunar brain infarcts (P < 0.001).
  • No significant association was observed between macrophages and lacunar infarcts (P = 0.1934).

Conclusions:

  • The presence and quantity of inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages, in carotid plaques are associated with cerebrovascular events.
  • Macrophage burden in carotid plaques correlates with the extent of non-lacunar infarcts in the brain, as detected by MRI.
Keywords:
AtherosclerosisBrainCarotid

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