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Atherosclerotic Lesions at Micro CT: Feasibility for Analysis of Coronary Artery Wall in Autopsy Specimens¹

¹ From the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology (A.C.L., S.G., N.H., W.S.R.), Pathology (R.M.B., S.v.G.), and Cardiology (G.W., H.H.), University of Giessen, Langhansstrasse 10, D-35392 Giessen, Germany. Received December 18, 2002; revision requested February 24, 2003; final revision received August 28; accepted October 21. Address correspondence to R.M.B. (e-mail: rainer.bohle@patho.med.uni-giessen.de).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of micro computed tomography (CT) for analysis of the coronary artery wall.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: With micro CT, two-dimensional transverse images were generated from 10 human autopsy specimens of coronary arteries (2.5–3.5 cm long), with section thickness of 6 µm. Vessel wall perimeter, plaque area, calcified lesion area, media area, and lumen area were determined by three experienced radiologists. Results were compared with those obtained from a detailed conventional histomorphometric analysis of corresponding cross sections. Hotelling T² test (a multivariate generalization of the univariate Student t test) and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to assess the correlation between micro CT findings and conventional histologic measurements. The significance of differences in gray-scale measurements was tested with analysis of variance.

RESULTS: Micro CT provided quantitative information about plaque morphology equivalent to that provided with histomorphometric analysis. Hotelling T² test revealed significantly smaller values for vessel wall perimeter and lumen area with histologic sections (P < .001). Gray-scale measurements were established with which lesions could be categorized after histologic classification.

CONCLUSION: Micro CT is feasible for analysis of the coronary artery wall.

© RSNA, 2004

Index terms: Arteriosclerosis, 54.76 • Computed tomography (CT), microscopy, 54.1211, 54.76 • Computed tomography (CT), experimental studies, 54.1211, 54.76 • Coronary vessels, CT, 54.12119 • Coronary vessels, stenosis or obstruction, 54.76

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