Utility of high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in differentiating between atherosclerotic plaques, vasculitis, and arterial dissection
Issued Date
2023-03-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00283940
eISSN
14321920
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85143206445
Pubmed ID
36456894
Journal Title
Neuroradiology
Volume
65
Issue
3
Start Page
441
End Page
451
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Neuroradiology Vol.65 No.3 (2023) , 441-451
Suggested Citation
Tritanon O., Mataeng S., Apirakkan M., Panyaping T. Utility of high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in differentiating between atherosclerotic plaques, vasculitis, and arterial dissection. Neuroradiology Vol.65 No.3 (2023) , 441-451. 451. doi:10.1007/s00234-022-03093-7 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/82388
Title
Utility of high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in differentiating between atherosclerotic plaques, vasculitis, and arterial dissection
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Purpose: Differentiating between atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and dissection is a diagnostic challenge because of inconclusive findings on conventional imaging and some overlap in the vessel wall patterns. The aim of this study was to determine whether vessel wall MRI patterns can differentiate between these vasculopathies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 3T high-resolution vessel wall imaging studies of patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic plaques, vasculitis, and dissection. The patterns of involvement, wall enhancement, and T1 and T2 signals, as well as the specific patterns, were assessed and compared between the three diseases. Results: Fifty-nine patients with atherosclerosis (n = 33), vasculitis (n = 13), and dissection (n = 13) were enrolled. There were significant differences in the pattern of involvement between the three groups (P < 0.001), with concentric wall thickening in vasculitis patients (84.6%) and eccentric wall thickening in atherosclerosis (97%) and dissection (92.3%) patients. There was also a significant difference in the specific pattern (P < 0.001), with intimal flap (76.9%) and intramural hematoma (23.1%) in dissection patients and intraplaque hemorrhage (18.2%) in atherosclerosis patients. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed a significant difference in the wall enhancement pattern between atherosclerosis and vasculitis patients (P < 0.05). Finally, there was a significant difference in the location of involvement between the three groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: By using the pattern of involvement, wall enhancement, and specific patterns, vessel wall MRI can help differentiate between atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and dissection.