New scan could reveal which plaques lead to stroke

NCT ID NCT02726984

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested a special PET/MR scan using a radioactive tracer called 18F-sodium fluoride to see if it can better identify dangerous carotid artery plaques. The researchers compared 6 patients who recently had a stroke with 6 who had no symptoms, all with significant plaque buildup. The goal was to see if the scan could spot signs of plaque vulnerability that might predict future strokes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

18F-sodium fluoride (a radioactive tracer injected for imaging)

What this could lead to

If successful, this imaging technique could help doctors identify which carotid plaques are most likely to cause a stroke, guiding treatment decisions.

What could go wrong

This is a very small pilot study with only 15 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The imaging method is experimental and not yet proven to improve patient outcomes.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

carotid stenosis stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hospices Civils de Lyon

    Bron, 69500, France