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Radiology, Vol 204, 769-774, Copyright © 1997 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Intravascular MR imaging of atherosclerotic plaque: ex vivo analysis of human femoral arteries with histologic correlation

GG Zimmermann, P Erhart, J Schneider, GK von Schulthess, M Schmidt and JF Debatin
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.

PURPOSE: To assess the potential role of intravascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with receiver coils mounted to an inflatable balloon in characterizing atherosclerotic plaque. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve human harvested segmental femoral arteries with atherosclerotic changes were studied with a 5-F imaging balloon catheter equipped with a single-loop wire receiver coil. Imaging was performed with an open-configuration 0.5-T (n = 6) or a 1.5-T (n = 6) MR system, with T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Histologic analysis was the reference standard, and MR images were analyzed with regard to vessel wall thickness, plaque area, and components. RESULTS: Images acquired at 1.5 T were characterized by better in-plane resolution (117 x 104 microm). Resolution at 0.5 T (234 x 178 microm) was sufficient to discriminate the wall layers. On T2-weighted images, adventitia, media, and thickened intima could be discriminated. T1-weighted images did not permit differentiation between wall layers. There was good correlation between MR and histologic measurements of wall thickness (r = .97) and plaque area (r = .98). Plaque characterization was possible on T2- weighted images. Calcified plaque was identified as areas of low signal intensity (134 +/- 98) and could be differentiated from fibrous structures containing collagen (1,968 +/- 680) or fatty components (762 +/- 394). CONCLUSION: Intravascular MR imaging on the basis of the balloon catheter design enables differentiation of wall layers and plaque components.


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