Assessment of the characteristics of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in various disease states with high-resolution vessel wall MRI

Motivation: Intra-cranial high-resolution vessel wall MRI (HR-VWI) can provide morphological and physiological information about the atherosclerotic plaques, which might relate to the disease status and predict the development of the disease. Goal(s): This study aims to investigate the role of HR-VWI in detecting the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques in different ischemic cerebrovascular disease status. Approach: Intra-cranial plaques of 72 patients in four different disease status were collected to analyze the characteristics on HR-VWI from contrast enhancement and morphological information subjectively and objectively. Results: Intra-cranial plaque information on HR-VWI shows difference in various disease states, especially in acute cerebral infarction. Impact: HR-VWI is a promising tool in observing the characteristics of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques, which might reflect the status of the plaques and predict the development of the disease. It might improve clinical surveillance and management of cerebrovascular disease patients.