Figure 1

Representative co-registered 3-dimensional positron emission (PET) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images of the right carotid artery of a healthy HIV-seronegative control male (Panel 1), and an HIV infected man with CVD risk factors (Panel 2). Transverse, sagittal, and coronal contrast CT images (A) and PET ¹⁸FDG uptake images (B) along with the corresponding carotid ultrasound images for these two men are shown. The anterior wall of the right carotid artery (upper portion of the carotid ultrasound image) is indicated with a yellow arrow and the posterior wall with a red arrow (lower portion of the image). In the HIV infected man (Panel 2), ultrasound imaging detected increased carotid artery intima media thickness in both the anterior and posterior walls and a non-obstructive plaque in the posterior wall of the right carotid artery. In the healthy control male (Panel 1), the intima media thickness was normal and no plaques were present in the anterior or posterior walls of the right carotid artery. Carotid PET imaging detected regions of higher ¹⁸FDG uptake (red nodules in blue, red and green ovals) in the HIV infected man (Panel 2B), while less ¹⁸FDG uptake was detected in the carotid artery of the healthy control male (Panel 1B).