Combined 18F-FDG PET-CT and DCE-MRI to Assess Inflammation and Microvascularization in Atherosclerotic Plaques

Background and Purpose—Hallmarks of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are inflammation that can be assessed with ¹⁸fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and increased neovascularization that can be evaluated by dynamic contrast–enhanced-MRI. It remains unclear whether these parameters are correlated or represent independent imaging parameters. This study determines whether there is a correlation between inflammation and neovascularization in atherosclerotic carotid plaques.

Methods—A total of 58 patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke in the carotid territory and ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis of 30% to 69% were included. All patients underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography and dynamic contrast–enhanced-MRI of the carotid plaque. ¹⁸Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose standard uptake values with target/background ratio were determined. Neovascularization was quantified by the mean (leakage) volume transfer constant K^trans. Spearman rank correlation coefficients between target/background ratio and K^trans were calculated. Read More