RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Carotid Plaque Characterization Using 3D T1-Weighted MR Imaging with Histopathologic Validation: A Comparison with 2D Technique JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology DO 10.3174/ajnr.A4197 A1 S. Narumi A1 M. Sasaki A1 T. Natori A1 M.Y. Oura A1 K. Ogasawara A1 M. Kobayashi A1 Y. Sato A1 Y. Ogasawara A1 J. Hitomi A1 Y. Terayama YR 2015 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/early/2015/01/08/ajnr.A4197.abstract AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 3D FSE T1WI has recently been used for carotid plaque imaging, given the potential advantages in contrast and spatial resolutions. However, its diagnostic performance remains unclear. Hence, we compared the ability of this technique to readily assess plaque characteristics with that of conventional images and validated the results with histologic classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively examined 34 patients with carotid stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy by using 1.5T scanners and obtained 3D-FSE T1WI and 2D spin-echo T1WI scans. After generating reformatted images obtained from the 3D-FSE T1-weighted images, we calculated the contrast ratios for the plaques and the adjacent muscles and compared these findings with the pathologic classifications. RESULTS: Carotid plaques were histologically classified as types VII, VIII, IV–V, or VI. With 3D-FSE T1WI, the range of contrast ratios for each classification was the following: 0.94–0.97 (median, 0.95), 0.95–1.29 (median, 1.10), 1.33–1.54 (median, 1.42), and 1.53–2.12 (median, 1.80), respectively. With 2D imaging, the range of contrast ratios for each classification was the following: 0.79–1.02 (median, 0.90), 0.88–1.19 (median, 1.01), 1.17–1.46 (median, 1.23), and 1.55–2.51 (median, 2.07), respectively. Results were significantly different among the 4 groups (P < .001). Sensitivity and specificity for discriminating vulnerable plaques (IV–VI) from stable plaques (VII, VIII) were both 100% for the 3D technique and 100% and 91%, respectively, for the 2D technique. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-FSE T1WI accurately characterizes intraplaque components of the carotid artery, with excellent sensitivity and specificity compared with those of 2D-T1WI. Abbreviations CRcontrast ratioSEspin-echo