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Larson AS, Brinjikji W, Lekah A, Klaas JP, Lanzino G, Huston J, Saba L, Benson JC. Nonstenotic Carotid Plaques and Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: A Multimodality Review. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2023; 44:118-124. [PMID: 36549844 PMCID: PMC9891333 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Symptomatic nonstenotic carotid artery disease has been increasingly recognized as a thromboembolic source in patients who would otherwise be classified as having embolic stroke of undetermined source. Evidence suggests that certain plaque features seen on sonography, CT, and MR imaging in nonstenotic carotid artery disease may predispose to recurrent stroke in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. We performed a focused literature review to further study plaque features in the context of embolic stroke of undetermined source and to determine which plaque features may be associated with ipsilateral ischemic events in such patients. Plaque thickness as seen on both ultrasound and CT appears to have a consistent association with ipsilateral stroke in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source across multiple studies. Intraplaque hemorrhage as seen on MR imaging is now understood to have a strong association with ipsilateral stroke in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source. Continued study of various plaque features as seen on different modalities is warranted to uncover other potential associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Larson
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., A.L., G.L., J.H., J.C.B.)
| | - W Brinjikji
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., A.L., G.L., J.H., J.C.B.)
- Neurosurgery (W.B., G.L.)
| | - A Lekah
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., A.L., G.L., J.H., J.C.B.)
| | - J P Klaas
- Neurology (J.P.K.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - G Lanzino
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., A.L., G.L., J.H., J.C.B.)
- Neurosurgery (W.B., G.L.)
| | - J Huston
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., A.L., G.L., J.H., J.C.B.)
| | - L Saba
- Department of Medical Sciences (L.S.), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - J C Benson
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., A.L., G.L., J.H., J.C.B.)
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Saba L, Agarwal N, Cau R, Gerosa C, Sanfilippo R, Porcu M, Montisci R, Cerrone G, Qi Y, Balestrieri A, Lucatelli P, Politi C, Faa G, Suri JS. Review of imaging biomarkers for the vulnerable carotid plaque. JVS Vasc Sci 2021; 2:149-158. [PMID: 34617065 PMCID: PMC8489200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of carotid artery atherosclerosis is conventionally based on measurements of luminal stenosis. However, histopathologic studies demonstrate considerable differences between plaques with identical degrees of stenosis and indicate that certain plaque features are associated with increased risk for ischemic events. As a result of the rapid technological evolution in medical imaging, several important steps have been taken in the field of carotid plaque imaging allowing us to visualize the carotid atherosclerotic plaque and its composition in great detail. For computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and ultrasound scan, evidence has accumulated on novel imaging-based markers that confer information on carotid plaque vulnerability, such as intraplaque hemorrhage and lipid-rich necrotic cores. In terms of the imaging-based identification of individuals at high risk of stroke, routine assessments of such imaging markers are the way forward for improving current clinical practice. The current review highlights the main characteristics of the vulnerable plaque indicating their role in the etiology of ischemic stroke as identified by intensive plaque imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nivedita Agarwal
- Section of Radiology, Santa Maria del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Clara Gerosa
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Sanfilippo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michele Porcu
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Montisci
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giulia Cerrone
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Yang Qi
- Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Pierleone Lucatelli
- Vascular and Interventional Unit, Department of Radiological Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carola Politi
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gavino Faa
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jasjit S. Suri
- Stroke Diagnosis and Monitoring Division, AtheroPoint™, Roseville, Calif
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High resolution FDG-microPET of carotid atherosclerosis: plaque components underlying enhanced FDG uptake. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2015; 32:145-52. [PMID: 26280889 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-015-0739-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study sought to discover which atherosclerotic plaque components co-localize with enhanced [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in carotid positron emission tomography (PET) images. Although in vivo PET currently lacks the resolution, high-resolution ex vivo FDG-microPET with histology validation of excised carotid plaque might accomplish this goal. Thirteen patients were injected with FDG before carotid endarterectomy. After excision, the plaque specimens were scanned by microPET and magnetic resonance imaging, and then serially sectioned for histological analysis. Two analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models: (1) a PET-driven analysis which sampled high and low FDG uptake areas from PET images to identify their components in matched histology specimens; and (2) a histology-driven analysis where specific plaque components were selected and matched to corresponding PET images. In the PET-driven analysis, regions of high FDG uptake were more likely to contain inflammatory cells (p < 0.001) and neovasculature (p = 0.008) than regions of low FDG uptake. In the histology-driven analysis, regions with inflammatory cells (p = 0.001) and regions with loose extracellular matrix (p = 0.001) were associated with enhanced FDG uptake. Furthermore, areas of complex inflammatory cell infiltrate (co-localized macrophages, lymphocytes and foam cells) had the highest FDG uptake among inflammatory subgroups (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in carotid plaque, regions of inflammatory cell infiltrate, particularly complex one, co-localized with enhanced FDG uptake in high-resolution FDG-microPET images. Loose extracellular matrix and areas containing neovasculature also produced FDG signal. This study points to the potential ability of FDG-PET to detect the cellular components of the vulnerable plaque.
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Abstract
Atherosclerosis imaging strategies can delineate characteristics of plaques at risk of rupture and thrombosis. Structural plaque imaging identifies high-risk plaque features, including lipid pools, thin fibrous caps, and intraplaque hemorrhage. New molecular imaging techniques complement structural imaging approaches by illuminating important features of plaque biology, with a prominent focus on detecting inflammation as a high-risk phenotype. As we unravel the molecular and structural characteristics underlying thrombosis-prone plaques, there is significant promise for eventual early identification and prediction of atherosclerotic plaque complications before they occur. Here we focus on recent imaging insights into high-risk arterial plaques, the etiologic agent of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Osborn
- Cardiology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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