Carotid Calcium Evaluation by MSCT

Kiran R. Nandalur et al in AJR 2006; 186:547-552, "Carotid Artery Calcification on CT May Independently Predict Stroke Risk" quantitatively evaluated calcified atherosclerotic burden in the cervical carotid arteries using MDCT to determine the relationship of scores with luminal stenosis and symptomatology. Volume scores were calculated by summing the area of calcium in the common and extracranial internal carotid arteries on axial slices and multiplying by the slice increment. Controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and luminal stenosis, authors found that scores were significantly related to the occurrence of symptoms. Calcium scores in the cervical carotid arteries may represent an independent marker for luminal stenosis and ischemic symptoms.