Phase-contrast CT: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque
Hetterich H, Willner M, Fill S, Herzen J, Bamberg F, Hipp A, Schueller U, Adam-Neumair S, Wirth S, Reiser M, Pfeiffer F, Saam T (2014)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2014
Journal
Book Volume: 271
Pages Range: 870-878
Journal Issue: 3
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the potential of phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) for atherosclerotic plaque imaging in human carotid arteries in an experimental ex vivo study. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patients-f relatives. Seven postmortem human carotid artery specimens were imaged at a laboratory setup by using a conventional X-ray tube and grating interferometer. After histologic processing, phase-contrast imaging and histopathologic data were matched. Characteristics of the necrotic core (NC) covered by a fibrous cap (FC), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and calcifications (CAs) were established, and sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of phase-contrast CT for plaque detection and the potential for accurate quantification were assessed. The Cohen k and Pearson correlation coefficient R were used to determine the agreement between phase-contrast imaging and histopathologic findings for plaque characterization and correlation of quantitative plaque measurements, respectively. A difference with a P value of less than.05 was considered significant. Results: Characteristic criteria were found in all analyzed plaque components. Applying these criteria, phase-contrast CT had a good sensitivity for the detection of the FC and NC, IPH, and CAs (all, >80%) and excellent specificity and accuracy (all, ≥90%), with good interreader agreement (k ≥ 0.72, P, < 0001). There were excellent correlations for quantitative measurements of FC, NC, and CAs between phase-contrast imaging and histopathologic findings (R ≥ 0.92). Interreader reproducibility was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.98 or higher for all measurements. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that ex vivo phase-contrast CT can help identify and quantify atherosclerotic plaque components, with excellent correlation to histopathologic findings. Although not yet applicable in vivo, phase-contrast CT may become a valuable tool to monitor atherosclerotic disease process noninvasively. © 2014 RSNA.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Hetterich, H., Willner, M., Fill, S., Herzen, J., Bamberg, F., Hipp, A.,... Saam, T. (2014). Phase-contrast CT: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque. Radiology, 271(3), 870-878. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.14131554
MLA:
Hetterich, Holger, et al. "Phase-contrast CT: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque." Radiology 271.3 (2014): 870-878.
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