Checks what carotid artery plaque is made of, using a new CT scan
Compares a new CT scan with MRI or tissue tests in adults with stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: CT Evaluation of Carotid Plaque Components
Key facts
- Where
- Philadelphia, United StatesSee the site
Where in United States
- University of Pennsylvania HospitalPhiladelphia, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Pennsylvania
- Trial code
- NCT05764772
- Record updated
- 25 November 2025
- Original description
The goal of this observational study is to validate the diagnostic performance of photon counting/spectral CT to distinguish tissue components in ischemic stroke with MRI, semi-automated segmentation software or histology as the reference standard.Read full original descriptionShow less
Validation of Photon Counting/Spectral Computed Tomography Angiography of Carotid Plaque Composition in Patients With Ischemic Stroke
The goal of this observational study is to validate the diagnostic performance of photon counting/spectral CT to distinguish tissue components in ischemic stroke with MRI, semi-automated segmentation software or histology as the reference standard.
The main question[s] it aims to answer are:
1. Presence or absence of calcium, hemorrhage, and lipid plaque components as determined on CT will be confirmed with carotid MRI, segmentation quantitative (e.g., volume) output from segmentation software, or histologic staining. 2. Volumes of hemorrhage, lipid, and calcium components will be measured to determine plaque phenotype and correlated with ipsilateral intracranial stroke burden.
Participants will be asked to do the following:
Aim 1:
* 1 Photon counting/spectral CT angiography of the neck * 1 Research Carotid/Neck MRI of the carotid arteries (if eligible)
Aim 2:
* 1 Research Carotid/Neck MRI of the carotid arteries (if eligible) * 1 Photon counting/spectral CT angiography of the neck * 1 Carotid plaque tissue from participants surgery will be retrieved, imaged, and stained (if eligible)
Inclusion: Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis with ipsilateral ischemic infarcts attributable to the carotid disease; At least 1mm of noncalcified plaque on same side of stroke; Brain MRI documenting ischemic infarct in distribution attributable to ipsilateral carotid disease; Patients planned to undergo carotid endarterectomies; Patients must be able to read and understand English; Participants must sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion: Exclusion Criteria; Patients less than 18 years old; Women who are pregnant and/or nursing.