ABSTRACT
Objective To dynamically observe stenosis and wall thickness of carotid artery with endothelium injury in mouse using 7T micro-MR imaging in vivo. Methods A mouse model of carotid artery intimal injury was established by removing endothelium with a flexible wire. The lumen diameter, lumen area, wall thickness and wall area of the injured arteries were observed, and serial MR scanning was performed in different time points after operation. Results The injured arteries and perivascular parenchyma were clearly observed by MR imaging. Before and 1, 5, 10 and 15 days after artery injury, the lumen diameter were (0.57±0.07)mm,(0.41±0.19)mm, (0.44±0.10)mm, (0.43±0.10)mm and (0.47±0.11)mm respectively, and the lumen area were (0.30±0.06)mm2, (0.18±0.11)mm2, (0.18±0.06)mm2, (0.18±0.06)mm2 and (0.22±0.07)mm2. The thickness of artery wall was(0.23±0.12)mm, and the area of artery wall was (0.35±0.24)mm2 15days after artery injury. Conclusions Stenosis and wall thickening of carotid artery after the artery intimal injury of mouse can be dynamically observed on MR imaging in vivo.