Optimization of Image Quality for Quantitative Multicontrast Atherosclerosis Characterization (qMATCH): Comparison between Transverse and Coronal Acquisitions

The quantitative multicontrast atherosclerosis characterization (qMATCH) technique enables high-resolution 3D multicontrast evaluation of carotid atherosclerosis, but the optimal acquisition orientation for reproducible image quality remains unclear. This prospective study compared image quality, motion robustness, and reproducibility between transverse and coronal qMATCH acquisitions. Thirty participants with moderate-to-severe carotid stenosis each underwent 2 scans, totaling 60 imaging sessions. Coronal imaging demonstrated significantly fewer motion artifacts compared with transverse imaging (34.7% versus 41.5%; P < .05) and yielded higher image quality scores (2.78 versus 2.72; P < .05) and arterial wall apparent SNR (5.10 versus 4.36; P < .05). In motion-corrupted images, coronal imaging also showed superior image quality (2.75 versus 2.65; P < .05) and arterial wall apparent SNR (4.89 versus 4.03; P < .05). Reproducibility for T1/T2 quantification was better for coronal acquisitions, particularly in motion-affected cases. These findings suggest that coronal qMATCH is more robust for motion-prone patients and better suited for longitudinal carotid imaging studies.