Quantitative characteristics of carotid perivascular adipose tissue measured by MR imaging: Potential indicators for ischemic stroke risk

Motivation: MR imaging has potential in assessing the inflammation of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) due to its excellent soft tissue contrast, yet the correlation of MR imaging characteristics of PVAT with ischemic stroke remains unclear. Goal(s): This study aimed to explore the correlation between MR imaging characteristics of carotid PVAT and ischemic stroke. Approach: Carotid PVAT characteristics (area, PVAT-AI, PVAT-VI) were quantitatively measured on MR vessel wall images, and their correlation with cerebral infarction was explored. Results: PVAT amount measurements were significantly higher in patients with cerebral infarction, and these measurements at the slices with vulnerable plaque were independently associated with cerebral infarction. Impact: Our study demonstrated that the amount of PVAT in carotid artery with vulnerable plaques is independently associated with cerebral infarction, suggesting that greater PVAT amount may indicate higher risk of ischemic stroke.