3.0 T MRI in analysis of atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery stenosis / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To apply 3.0 T MRI(3-dimensional time-of-flight and high-resolution MRI vessel wall imaging) technique for analyzing atherosclerotic middle cerebral stenosis, location of the plaque and remodeling of the middle cerebral artery. Methods 3.0 T MRI was used to examine 64 patients with middle cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis, determining the plaque location and thickness. The plaque area ratio was defined as plaque area/cross-sectional area of the vessel (VA); remodeling ratio was detined as VA/average of the proximal and distal normal artery; and the luminal area of the vessil (LA) ratio was delined as LA/average of the proximal and distal normal artery. Results The atherosclerotic plaque of middle cerebral artery (M1 segment) most frequently formed annular plaque and was located at the ventral and inferior wall, with the plaque thickness being 0.5-1.5 mm (72.5%). The middle cerebral atherosclerotic plaque remodeling modes were mainly positive (outward) remodeling. Conclusion 3.0 T MRI can help to demonstrate the distribution of the middle cerebral atherosclerotic plaque and the remodeling of the middle cerebral artery, which is worth further studying.