Comments on: Accuracy of Dual-Source CT in the Characterization of Non-Calcified Plaque: Use of a Colour-Coded Analysis Compared with Virtual Histology Intravascular Ultrasound http://www.thepreparedminds.com/archives/444 In the field of observation, chance favors the prepared minds. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:45:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Jacobo Kirsch, MD http://www.thepreparedminds.com/archives/444/comment-page-1#comment-364 Jacobo Kirsch, MD Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:11:30 +0000 http://www.thepreparedminds.com/?p=444#comment-364 Very well designed study aiming to correlate the morphometric appearance of atherosclerotic plaque on CTA to its appearance on virtual histology IVUS. Additionally, characterization of the plaque into its four main components (necrotic core, fatty fibrous, fibrous, and calcified) was attempted. While morphometric plaque analysis showed good concordance among both modalities, the correlation when assessing plaque composition was very poor. Considering that each modality will have its own type of artifacts, this poor concordance in plaque composition may be related to how calcium affects each modality and/or the difficulty in recognizing the difference in (CT) attenuation coefficient among some of the plaque components. Very well designed study aiming to correlate the morphometric appearance of atherosclerotic plaque on CTA to its appearance on virtual histology IVUS. Additionally, characterization of the plaque into its four main components (necrotic core, fatty fibrous, fibrous, and calcified) was attempted.
While morphometric plaque analysis showed good concordance among both modalities, the correlation when assessing plaque composition was very poor. Considering that each modality will have its own type of artifacts, this poor concordance in plaque composition may be related to how calcium affects each modality and/or the difficulty in recognizing the difference in (CT) attenuation coefficient among some of the plaque components.

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