Оценка структуры атеросклеротической бляшки методом магнитно-резонансной томографии с целью определения ее стабильности

To evaluate the possibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the stability of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis, comparing with the data of histological examination. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were examined 37 patients with carotid stenosis of more than 70 %. The study was conducted at 3T scanner using 16-channel neurovascular and carotid specialized 8-channel coils. The study protocol consisted of a standard time-of-flight angiography in 3D, T1-, T2-and proton-weighted (PD) sequence in axial projection, with a slice thickness of 1-2mm. Further, most of the patients was performed carotid endarterectomy, with subsequent histological processing and evaluation of the resulting material structure atheroma. In 23 cases the patients had signs of instability, such as hemorrhage into the plaque and/or thrombosis, a large (>40 %), lipid/necrotic core. Which was confirmed by histological findings of the study. This paper gives an indication of the high efficiency of this method in determining the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.