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Figure 1 Axial positron emission tomographic (PET) images and the co-registered computed tomographic (CT) images from 2 patients, 1 (patient A) who manifested low 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the region of the carotid plaque and 1 (patient B) with high FDG uptake in the region of the carotid plaque. The region of the excised carotid plaque is noted with arrows. (A) Carotid plaque specimen taken from the patient with low FDG uptake (patient A). The corresponding trichrome-stained histologic specimen demonstrates a collagen-rich plaque with low lipid content, and CD68 staining on the high-powered images demonstrates limited macrophage infiltration. These histologic features are consistent with a metabolically stable and potentially clinically stable plaque. (B) Carotid plaque specimen taken from the patient with high FDG uptake (patient B). The corresponding trichrome-stained histologic specimen demonstrates a complex plaque with a necrotic core, and the CD68 staining demonstrates intense macrophage infiltration. These histologic features are consistent with a metabolically unstable plaque which is vulnerable to rupture.
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