Magnetic resonance method and apparatus for classifying an atheroma

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:

• a magnetic resonance scanner adapted to receive a living subject therein;
• a contrast agent injector adapted to inject contrast agent into the vascular system of a living subject situated in said magnetic resonance scanner;
• a system computer connected to said magnetic resonance scanner for operating said magnetic resonance scanner to obtain data for a first magnetic resonance image with a first intensity distribution of a cross-section of a vessel, containing plaque, of said subject before injecting said contrast agent, and for obtaining data for a second magnetic resonance image of said cross-section of said vessel with a second intensity distribution after a first time duration following injection of said contrast agent, and for obtaining data for a third magnetic resonance image of said cross-section of said vessel with a third intensity distribution after a second time duration following injection of said contrast agent;
• and
• a diagnostic computer supplied with said data for said first, second and third magnetic resonance images for classifying said plaque dependent on said first, second and third intensity distributions.