Case report

Non-invasive MR imaging of inflammation in a patient with both asymptomatic carotid atheroma and an abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report

Simon PS Howarth^1,2 , Tjun Y Tang^1,3 , Martin J Graves¹ , Jean-Marie U-King-Im¹ , Zhi-Yong Li¹ , Stewart R Walsh³ , Michael E Gaunt³ and Jonathan H Gillard¹

¹University Department of Radiology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK

²Academic Department of Neurosurgery, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK

³Cambridge Vascular Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK

author email corresponding author email

Annals of Surgical Innovation and Research 2007, 1:4doi:10.1186/1750-1164-1-4

Published:	21 February 2007

Abstract

Inflammation is a recognized risk factor for the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.

USPIO-enhanced MRI imaging is a promising non-invasive method to identify high-risk atheromatous plaque inflammation in vivo in humans, in which areas of focal signal loss on MR images have been shown to correspond to the location of activated macrophages, typically at the shoulder regions of the plaque. This is the first report in humans describing simultaneous USPIO uptake within atheroma in two different arterial territories and again emphasises that atherosclerosis is a truly systemic disease. With further work, USPIO-enhanced MR imaging may be useful in identifying inflamed vulnerable atheromatous plaques in vivo, so refining patient selection for intervention and allowing appropriate early aggressive pharmacotherapy to prevent plaque rupture.