Comparison of single-sequence T1w TFE MRI with multisequence MRI for the quantification of lipid-rich necrotic core in atherosclerotic plaque

Purpose: To prospectively determine the accuracy of semi-quantitative analysis of the amount of lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) in atherosclerotic plaque using multi- as well as single-sequence T1-weighted (w) turbo field echo (TFE) MRI. Histology served as a reference standard. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four symptomatic patients with carotid sterrosis >= 70% were included and underwent endarterectomy after an MRI scan. Two MRI readers classified relative signal intensities in regions of interest in the vessel wall. The amount of LRNC was determined semiquantitatively using an algorithm based on fixed combinations of multiple MR pulse sequences as well as solely based on T1w TFE images. Interreader agreement was expressed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Agreement between MRI and histology was determined by linear regression (R). Results: Interreader reproducibility for quantification of sequence 0.86 (0.77-0.94), and single sequence 0.91 (0.85-0.95). There was good agreement between MRI and histology for both MR readers for quantification based on multisequence as well as single sequence MRI, 0.80 <= R <= 0.85 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The amount of LRNC using single-sequence T1w TFE MRI is a reproducible, accurate, and fast way to quantify LRNC in carotid atherosclerotic plaque.