title: 3D high-resolution contrast enhanced MRI of carotid atheroma--a technical update.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Development of a fast 3D high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for improved carotid artery plaque imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with carotid atherosclerosis disease underwent 3D high-resolution MRI which included time-of-flight and T1-weighted variable flip angle, fast-spin-echo (FSE) imaging, pre- and post-intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agent administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Good quality images with intrinsic blood suppression were obtained pre- and post-contrast administration using a 3D FSE sequence. The plaque burden, lipid core volume, hemorrhage volume and fibrous cap thickness were well determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D high-resolution MR imaging of carotid plaque using TOF and 3D FSE can achieve high isotropic resolution, large coverage, and excellent image quality within a short acquisition time.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK. Electronic address: cz254@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Chengcheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Umar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sadat
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Zhongzhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Gillard
authors.affiliation: University Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Graves
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: 3D Fast Spin Echo; Carotid atheroma; Fibrous cap; Hemorrhage; Lipid core