Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a treatable and preventable cause of ischemic stroke.Increasing studies suggest that carotid plaque characteristics may be a superior means for predicting ipsilateral cerebrovascular events as compared with the degree of carotid artery stenosis.The major MRI features of vulnerable carotid plaques include large lipid-rich necrotic cores,intraplaque hemorrhage,plaque rupture,and calcification.This article reviews the major MRI features of vulnerable carotid plaques and their roles in predicting ipsilateral cerebrovascular events.