The presence of significant stenosis at the proximal part of the internal carotid artery is an important risk factor for stroke. Calcified atherosclerotic plaques play an important role in both coronary artery stenosis and stroke. Calcifications in the arteries of the head and neck are visible on head CT, but their relation to proximal carotid artery stenosis is unclear.

In this study, we investigate whether the volume of calcifications in the arteries of the head and neck can be used as an indicator of stenosis at the proximal part of the internal carotid artery. The project was carried out on collaboration between Image Sciences Institute, UMC Utrecht and Hospital in Pozega, Croatia.