Figure 2

Magnetic Resonance Images of the Ruptured Carotid Plaque. The bright-blood 3D TOF image shows a distinct disruption of the fibrous cap (block arrow), corresponding to the hypointense juxtaluminal region on T1W and CE-T1W images. The hyperintense signal present in the necrotic core adjacent to the rupture (arrow) indicates presence of intraplaque hemorrhage inside of a lipid-rich necrotic core (thin arrow on CE-T1W image). Asterisks are placed on the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is used to determine plaque signal intensities. The scan was acquired on a 3.0-T GE Signa Excite along with the use of a 4-element phased-array carotid coil.