Fig 1.

In vivo identification of IPH, FCR, and ulceration. Each row contains multicontrast axial images from a single location in the carotid artery. The outer wall boundary (white arrowheads) of either the internal or common carotid artery, the lumen of the internal or common (asterisk) carotid artery, the external (cross, where applicable) carotid artery, and the JV are identified. The top row is of the right internal carotid artery from a 69-year-old man imaged at MSU. IPH (arrows) is characterized by a hyperintense signal intensity on TOF and T1WI. The second row is of the right internal carotid artery from an 80-year-old man imaged at PLA. An FCR (white arrow) is evident on TOF imaging by the hyperintense signal intensity extending from the lumen into the plaque and the absence of a fibrous cap on T2WI and CE-T1WI. The third row is of the left common carotid artery from a 74-year-old man imaged at PLA. An ulceration (black arrows) is present. Notably, the varying appearance of the ulcer between the different contrast weightings is due to reduced flow suppression caused by turbulent flow in the ulcerated region, particularly after contrast administration.