Cardiac-gated local coil MR imaging of the carotid neck bifurcation.

The value of duplex Doppler sonography as a noninvasive technique for evaluating the carotid neck vessels has been well documented [1-4]. The sensitivity and specificity of duplex Doppler sonography in the detection of high-grade stenosis (greater than 80%) approximates 90% [1] . However, duplex Doppler sonography has several limitations. Plaque ulceration cannot be detected reliably, even with high-frequency short-focused transducers [1]. Furthermore, in some circumstances, it cannot distinguish between a patent internal carotid artery with high-grade stenosis and an occluded vessel [2]. Finally, if no signal is detected in the narrowed internal carotid artery, the patent external carotid artery may be mistaken for it [3]. MR imaging with local (surface) coils has the potential to detect carotid ulceration and stenosis noninvasively because of the negligible signal produced by rapidly flowing blood and the high resolution obtained with local coils . Large plaques have been seen in the aorta [5] and other large vessels , [6] and the identification of plaques in neck vessels would be of potential significance. In the past our attempts at MR imaging of neck vessels has not been optimal due to flow-related artifacts. We used local coils in conjunction with cardiac gating to improve anatomic resolution and minimize flow artifacts.