Improved Calcification Detection Accuracy on Human Atherosclerotic Plaque Using Ultra-Short TE (UTE) Imaging

Jinnan Wang¹, Marina S. Ferguson², Niranjan Balu², Chun Yuan², Peter Boernert³

Ultra-short TE (UTE) images can provide positive contrast for short T2 species when combined with imaging techniques like dual-echo subtraction or magnetization preparation. Although the calcified regions identified on UTE images were demonstrated to agree with CT images, its accuracy has not been validated against histology. This study is aimed at comparing the accuracy of UTE calcification detection in human carotid plaques against regular turbo spin echo MR images, as well as validating it against histology.