Measurement of the Mean ADC Values of Lipid, Hemorrhage and overall Wall Components using in-vivo Human Carotid Artery Diffusion Weighted Imaging

. The in-plane spatial resolution for data acquisition was 1.0x1.0mm with display resolution 0.5x0.5 mm 2 , after zero-filled interpolation. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map was calculated and displayed using IDL (Interactive Data Language etc.). Sequences obtained were 2D T1w, T2w, PD, 3D MPRAGE, and DWI at the same locations. CTA was also obtained in vivo. T1w images were acquired with 2D TSE with the time efficient double inversion preparation sequence (6) . 2D T2w and PD images were acquired using the 2D TSE sequence. 3D MPRAGE images were acquired with 0.5x0.5x1.0mm 3 voxel resolution and were used to identify hemorrhage. Human carotid endarterectomy specimens were obtained and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Following decalcification, specimens were serially cross sectioned and stained. MR images and histological slides were matched using the known location and distance between MRI and histological cross section. RESULTS: