ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of dual-source CT perfusion imaging (CTPI) in the assessment of cerebral hemodynamic changes in patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis. MethodsThirty patients diagnosed to have internal carotid atherosclerosis by CT angiography examination with various degrees of stenosis or occlusion were treated between January 2012 and May 2013. Whole brain perfusion imaging was performed on all the patients. We rebuilt the CTPI figure parameters respectively, including cerebral blood volume (CBV), blood flow (CBF), mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) to assess brain tissue perfusion. ResultsIn the 30 patients with internal carotid atherosclerosis, 8 had mild stenosis lumen, 12 moderate stenosis, 7 severe stenosis and 3 had occlusion. In mild stenosis cases, TTP of stenosis-side vessels was higher than those of coutralateral side (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in other perfusion parameters between bilateral vessels among mild stenosis cases (P>0.05). MTT and TTP of stenosis-side vessels were higher than those of contralateral side in moderate stenosis cases (P<0.05). In severe stenosis or obstruction cases, MTT and TTP of stenosis-side vessels were higher than those of contralateral side, while CBF and CBV of stenosis-side vessels were lower than contralateral side (P<0.05). Twenty-two in the 30 cases had perfusion abnormalities, and there was a significant difference between the stenosis side cerebral perfusion and the healthy side mirror area (P<0.05). ConclusionCTPI can reflect brain tissue perfusion early and comprehensively, and fully reflect internal carotid atherosclerosis caused by severe stenosis or occlusion of cerebral hemodynamic changes, which provides important information for clinical treatment and helps clinicians to formulate individualized treatment plan.