Atherosclerotic lesions at micro CT: feasibility for analysis of coronary artery wall in autopsy specimens.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of micro computed tomography (CT) for analysis of the coronary artery wall.


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 microm. 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 T(2) 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 T(2) 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.


CONCLUSIONS
Micro CT is feasible for analysis of the coronary artery wall.
Langheinrich
Alexander Claus
AC
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Giessen, Langhansstrasse 10, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
Bohle
Rainer Maria
RM
Greschus
Susanne
S
Hackstein
Nils
N
Walker
Gerhard
G
von Gerlach
Susanne
S
Rau
Wigbert Stephan
WS
Hölschermann
Hans
H
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008852:Microradiography; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed