[Evaluation of arterial sclerosis by CT, MR imaging and MR angiography]

Wall thickening and intimal changes obtained by enhanced CT are early findings of aortic sclerosis. These findings are often detected in the lower abdominal aorta and middle thoracic descending aorta of normal subjects over 30 years of age, as predictors of atherosclerosis. Arterial calcification is a useful sign for evaluating atherosclerosis, especially, in the coronary arteries. The sensitivity and specificity of CT-detected coronary calcification in coronary stenosis by CAG were 76% and 80%, respectively, in our study. In the patients with atherosclerosis, MRI demonstrates wall thickening, intimal projection and narrowing of the lumen in the aorta and large arteries. MRA can be applied to more peripheral arteries, particularly, in the head and extremities, and will be available for screening of atherosclerotic disease in the near future.