Rapid MR Angiography Using 3D Gradient-echo Imaging and the Two-point Dixon Method to Evaluate Carotid Plaque

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

• Carotid artery plaque assessment is crucial for stroke risk evaluation.
• Conventional time-of-flight MR angiography (cTOF MRA) has limitations in plaque characterization.
• Liver acquisition with volume acceleration-flex (LAVA-Flex) enables rapid, multi-contrast MRI acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of LAVA-Flex MRA for carotid plaque characterization.
• To compare the visualization of carotid plaque features between LAVA MRA and cTOF MRA.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of simultaneous in-phase, out-of-phase, water-only, and fat-only images using LAVA-Flex.
• Comparison of LAVA MRA sequences with cTOF MRA for visualizing carotid plaques.
• Assessment of plaque intensity and clarity in different LAVA MRA sequences.

Main Results:

• LAVA MRA significantly reduced scan time compared to cTOF MRA.
• Low-intensity plaques were better visualized on LAVA-Flex in-phase images.
• High-intensity plaques were better visualized on LAVA-Flex water-only or out-of-phase images.
• No plaque visualization was superior with cTOF MRA.

Conclusions:

• LAVA MRA provides comprehensive carotid plaque information through simultaneous multi-sequence imaging.
• LAVA MRA offers superior plaque characterization compared to cTOF MRA.
• LAVA MRA is a valuable tool for evaluating carotid plaque and assessing stroke risk.