Abstract
Purpose
We propose a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocol for the characterization of carotid web morphology, composition, and vessel wall dynamics. The purpose of this case series was to determine the feasibility of imaging carotid webs with MR imaging.
Methods
Five patients diagnosed with carotid web on CT angiography were recruited to undergo a 30-min MR imaging session. MR angiography (MRA) images of the carotid artery bifurcation were acquired. Multi-contrast fast spin echo (FSE) images were acquired axially about the level of the carotid web. Two types of cardiac phase resolved sequences (cineFSE and cine phase contrast) were acquired to visualize the elasticity of the vessel wall affected by the web.
Results
Carotid webs were identified on MRA in 5/5 (100%) patients. Multi-contrast FSE revealed vessel wall thickening and cineFSE demonstrated regional changes in distensibility surrounding the webs in these patients.
Conclusion
Our MR imaging protocol enables an in-depth evaluation of patients with carotid webs: morphology (by MRA), composition (by multi-contrast FSE), and wall dynamics (by cineFSE).
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Abbreviations
- MR:
-
Magnetic resonance
- CT:
-
Computed tomography
- MRA:
-
Magnetic resonance angiography
- FSE:
-
Fast spin echo
- PC:
-
Phase contrast
- FMD:
-
Fibromuscular dysplasia
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Funding
This study was funded by CIHR and NSERC. MEB is the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II scholarship and a University of Calgary BME graduate program award. BKM holds the Heart and Stroke Foundation/University of Calgary Professorship in Stroke Imaging. RF is the Hopewell Professor of Brain Imaging.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval
All procedures performed in the studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Informed consent
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
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Boesen, M.E., Eswaradass, P.V., Singh, D. et al. MR imaging of carotid webs. Neuroradiology 59, 361–365 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-017-1797-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-017-1797-z