Combined PET-FDG and USPIO-enhanced MR imaging in patients with symptomatic moderate carotid artery stenosis.
BACKGROUND
PET-FDG and USPIO-enhanced MRI are increasingly being used in depicting carotid atheroma inflammation--a risk factor for the high risk plaque. Their combined use has not been previously reported.


METHODS
Two patients presenting with stroke and identified with 50% carotid stenosis on duplex ultrasonography, underwent PET FDG and USPIO-enhanced MR imaging. Results were concordant and complementary suggesting that both techniques reflect similar metabolic processes.


CONCLUSIONS
The selection of patients for carotid revascularisation has largely been based on the severity of luminal stenosis alone. The two imaging modalities, which identify inflammatory activity, may be potential surrogate risk markers in the selection of patients eligible for carotid surgery, if plaque inflammation can be correlated with risk of developing clinical symptoms.
Tang
T Y
TY
Cambridge Vascular Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK. tt279@cam.ac.uk
Moustafa
R R
RR
Howarth
S P
SP
Walsh
S R
SR
Boyle
J R
JR
Li
Z Y
ZY
Baron
J-C
JC
Gillard
J H
JH
Warburton
E A
EA
D000368:Aged; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C097921:ferumoxtran-10; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide