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Hindi Review Article
Impact of MRI Characterization of the Carotid Artery in the Understanding of Stroke
Creagh S1*, Ortiz A2, Fumero J3 and Paydar A41Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
2Diagnostic Radiologist, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, FL, USA
3Diagnostic Radiologist, Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, Ponce, Puerto Rico
4Diagnostic Radiologist, University of Central Florida and Florida State University, Florida Hospital, USA
- *Corresponding Author:
- Creagh S
Ponce Health Sciences University
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Tel: 787-361-3988
E-mail: scarmencr@yahoo.com
Received date: February 23, 2017; Accepted date: March 02, 2017; Published date: March 06, 2017
Citation: Creagh S, Ortiz A, Fumero J, Paydar A (2017) Impact of MRI Characterization of the Carotid Artery in the Understanding of Stroke. OMICS J Rad 6:255. doi: 10.4172/2167-7964.1000255
Copyright: © 2017 Creagh S, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Carotid artery stenosis accounts for approximately 10% of ischemic strokes. Improved methods of diagnosis of cerebrovascular atherosclerosis would result in significant improvement in quality of life and major savings in health care costs. Imaging plays a critical role evaluating patients suspected of acute stroke. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI's) significant advantages over DUS in carotids imaging can pay off its cost by means of improved patient outcome. Although DUS is frequently performed to evaluate carotid disease, there is nonuniformity in practice among laboratories. MRI can detect and quantify major compositional features of the carotid plaque and comprehensively evaluate its complications. A high level of agreement exists between high-resolution in vivo MRI, gross, and histological findings on the thickness and sites of potential rupture of the fibrous cap in advanced carotid artery atherosclerosis. MRI is capable of classifying and distinguishing different stages of atherosclerotic lesions. It can also examine the mechanisms of regression, progression, and endothelial dysfunction of the carotid plaque. Carotid MRI is a histologically validated, non-invasive imaging method that can track atherosclerotic disease progression and regression. It can quantitatively evaluate parameters associated with plaque morphology and composition. MRI is able to quantify high-grade carotid artery stenosis and occlusion with good accuracy and reproducibility and provides an opportunity to prospectively examine the relationship between plaque features and subsequent cerebrovascular events. The aim of this article is to examine the efficacy of MRI versus DUS in identifying vulnerable carotid lesions in the acute stroke patient that can account for stroke etiology or mechanism.
