The application of MR and CT angiography in the evaluation of carotid artery stenosis and follow up of carotid endarterectomy

Objective To estimate the accuracy of MR angiography(MRA) and CT angiography(CTA) in the evaluation of the carotid artery stenosis. Methods Eleven patients were studied with MRA and CTA. The results were compared with DSA, CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE), and Doppler ultrasound (DUS). MRA was performed with 2D and 3D TOF sequences. CTA was postprocessed using MIP and SSD. CTVE was performed using navigator function . Three patients with severe stenosis received carotid endarterectomy. Results There was a total of 22 carotid arteries studied, with 8 mild, 3 moderate, 5 severe stenosis, 1 occlusion, and 5 normal. Agreement on stenosis between CTA and DSA was found in 11 of 12 carotid arteries. Agreement on stenosis between MRA and DSA was found in 9. Plaques were delineated in CTA, CTVE, and confirmed by pathology in 3 cases. Postoperative MRA and CTA proved the release of stenosis. Conclusion MRA and DUS can be used as a screening technique to evaluate carotid artery stenosis and as a convenient follow up modality for post endarterectomy. CTA has a high degree of accuracy for the assessment of carotid artery stenosis compared with DSA, and it could provide information on calcified plaque.