Abstract: High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) is a safe, non-invasive, inexpensive, accurate and reproducible clinical imaging modality, and the results can acutely reflect the extent of atherosclerotic disease and have high predictive values for future clinical events. It uses black blood imaging techniques and can obtain sufficient sensitivity for submillimetre imaging. HRMRI has been used widely to visualize the vessel wall and differentiate the components of atherosclerotic plaques. It is of important clinical meaning to evaluate plaque vulnerability with HRMRI, which is related to the remodeling pattern, plaque burden, intraplaque hemorrhage and contrast enhancement, and plaque distribution, etc.

Key words: high-resolution, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral arteries, atherosclerosis, plaque, review