A new MRI technique detecting dangerous fatty plaques that could cause stroke

Clinical MRI of carotid atherosclerosis using T2 mapping: Development and validation of novel methods for plaque lipid quantification

Dr Luca Biasiolli is developing a new imaging tool to help doctors detect plaques in the carotid artery supplying blood to the brain that are most likely to rupture, leading to a stroke. Modern imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that it is not just big plaques narrowing the carotid artery that leads to stroke. We now know that even plaques that don’t block the artery can trigger a stroke by breaking up and releasing material that blocks small arteries in the brain. Although carotid plaques are common, some have features indicating they are more likely to rupture, such as cholesterol in a large lipid (fat) core within the plaque. Whilst MRI can non-invasively identify the lipid core, current methods can’t measure it and it is hard to get good quality images. In this project, Dr Biasiolli will validate and test a new MRI technique he has developed that detects and precisely measures the lipid core size within the plaque. His method has the potential to spot small changes in lipid content and plaques more likely to rupture. This new MRI technique could help doctors detect the plaques likely to cause strokes earlier so they can be treated, as well as identify less dangerous plaques so people can avoid unnecessary surgery.