Multimodal Imaging Assessment of the Inflammatory Atheromatous Plaque

Multimodal Assessment of the Inflammatory Atheromatous Plaque : Comparison Between 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT, 18F-FDG PET/CT, MRI AND US

The present study aims at assessing the ability of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT for the detection of inflammatory atheromatous plaques in the carotid arteries, compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT, MRI and US and to determine the contribution of each imaging technique. Current gold standard for inflammation is histopathology.

Hypothesis : 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD might give a better initial evaluation of patients with atheromatous plaques in the carotid artery eligible for endarterectomy.

Patients with indication for endarterectomy will be presented the present protocol. If inclusion criteria are fulfilled, patients will have a 18F-FDG PET/CT + carotid US performed 6 to 2 days before endarterectomy and 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT + MRI performed the day before endarterectomy. Histopathological sample will be analyzed to measure plaque inflammation.

All imaging results and histopathology results will be pooled and compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age <= 85 years
• Karnofsky >= 80%
• patient with indication ofr carotid endarterectomy
• signed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• indication for surgery other than endarterectomy <14 days
• contraindication to surgery
• contraindication to MRI
• contraindication to gadolinium injection (stage 4/5 kidney insufficiency, GFR<30ml/min/1.73m2)
• pregnancy, breastfeeding
• lack of discernment