Chang-Woo Ryu1, Geon-Ho Jahng1,
Eui-Jong Kim2, Woo_Suk Choi2, Dal-Mo Yang1
1Radiology, East-West Neo Medical
Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea, Republic of; 2Radiology,
Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea, Republic
of
We
imaged the walls of stenotic MCAs in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients
using high resolution BB-MRI, in order to characterize vulnerable plaques.
Multi-contrast (T1-, T2-, and proton density)-weighted BB-MRIs were acquired
in 16 MCA stenosis. The plaque signal intensity was interpreted and the total
wall thickness was measured at the most stenotic segment. Hyperintense foci
were demonstrated more frequently within the plaques of symptomatic stenoses
than within the plaques of asymptomatic stenoses Total wall thickness in the
symptomatic stenoses was significantly higher than that seen in the
asymptomatic stenoses. High-resolution, multi-contrast-weighted BB-MRI has
the potential to characterize intracranial atherosclerotic plaques.