[Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of 3.0 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the reproducibility of 3.0 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR MRI) for evaluation of atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

METHODS:

From February, 2011 to December, 2013, 66 consecutive patients with MCA-M1 atherosclerotic stenosis (50%-99%) confirmed by digital subtractive angiography (DSA) received examinations with 3.0 T HR MRI for measurement of the vessel area (VA) and lumen area (LA) at the maximum narrow site (VA(narrow) and LA(narrow)) and the reference site (VA(reference) and LA(reference)) as well as the plaque distribution (ventral, dorsal, superior, and inferior). Two independent readers reviewed all the images and one reader reevaluated these images 4 weeks later. The inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS:

The measurements of VA(narrow), VA(reference), and LA(reference) using HR MRI showed excellent inter- (ICC=0.801, 0.843, and 0.808, respectively) and intra-observer reproducibility (ICC=0.811, 0.916, and 0.958, respectively), but the measurement of LA(narrow) had only moderate inter- and intra-observer reproducibility (ICC=0.584 and 0.625, respectively). For plaque distribution analysis (ventral, dorsal, superior, and inferior plaques), HR MRI also showed excellent inter- (ICC=0.856, 0.836, 0.791, and 0.905, respectively) and intra-observer reproducibility (ICC=0.876, 0.827, 0.825, and 0.950, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

HR MRI shows good inter- and intra-observer reproducibility in identifying MCA-M1 atherosclerotic plaque distribution and vessel and lumen measurements, but its reliability for lumen area measurement at the maximum narrowing site needs to be improved.

• Authors: Zejun Jia, Yuan Yuan, Zhigang Yang, Rui Zhao, Yi Xu, Qinghai Huang, Wenyuan Zhao, Xiaolong Ma, Xiaoqun Deng, Bo Hong, Jian-Min Liu
• Journal: Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University (Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao) Vol. 34 Issue 10 Pg. 1402-7 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1673-4254 [Print] China
• PMID: 25345932 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Constriction, Pathologic
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Middle Cerebral Artery (pathology)
• Plaque, Atherosclerotic (diagnosis)
• Reproducibility of Results