18F-FDG PET and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) images compared with histology of atherosclerotic plaques: 18F-FDG accumulates in foamy macrophages

Purpose Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) and 18F-FDG PET have been used to evaluate the efficacy of antiatherosclerosis drugs. These two modalities image different characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques, and a comparison of IVUS and PET images with histology has not been performed. The aim of this study was to align IVUS and PET images using anatomic landmarks in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic (WHHL) rabbits, enabling comparison of their depiction of aortic atherosclerosis. Cellular 18F-FDG localization was evaluated by 3H-FDG microautoradiography (micro-ARG).