Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Korean Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (대한자기공명의과학회)
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High-resolution MR Imaging of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques

경동맥 경화판의 고해상도 자기공명영상

  • Shin, Won-Seon (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Sung-Mok (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Choe, Yeon-Hyeon (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
  • 신원선 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 영상의학과) ;
  • 김성목 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 영상의학과) ;
  • 최연현 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 영상의학과)
  • Received : 2012.07.30
  • Accepted : 2012.08.20
  • Published : 2012.08.31
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Abstract

High-resolution carotid MRI allows visualization of carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics. MRI serves as a noninvasive option for the detection of active plaque inflammation and intraplaque hemorrhage. Significant gains in signal-tonoise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio can be obtained for carotid atheroma imaging at 3T compared with 1.5T. Normalized wall index or wall area on MRI has shown its efficacy in monitoring the response after medical therapy. $T(2)^*$ quantification in carotid plaques before and after the administration of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles shows difference in response to treatment according to drug doses. In conclusion, high-resolution MRI is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of carotid atherosclerotic plaques prone to transient ischemic attack and stroke.

고해상도 경동맥 자기공명영상(MRI)을 이용하여 경화판 특성을 파악할 수 있다. MRI는 경화판의 활동성 염증이나 경화판내 출혈을 비침습적으로 진단할 수 있는 능력이 있다. 3T MRI는 1.5T MRI에 비해 신호 대 잡음비와 대조도 대 잡음비가 높다. 동맥벽의 면적이나 표준화된 동맥벽 면적을 MRI로 측정하면 약물 치료 후 반응을 평가할 수 있다. 결론적으로 고행상도 MRI는 일과성 허혈이나 뇌졸중을 발생하기 쉬운 경화판의 진단과 치료 후 평가에 유용하다.

Keywords

References

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