Magnetic Particle Imaging: Artifact-Free Metallic Stent Lumen Imaging in a Phantom Study

Purpose To illustrate the potential of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) for stent lumen imaging in comparison with clinical computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods Imaging of eight tracer-filled, stented vessel phantoms and a tracer-filled, non-stented reference phantom for each diameter was performed on a preclinical MPI scanner: eight commercially available coronary stents of different dimensions (diameter: 3-4 mm; length: 11-38 mm) and materials (stainless steel, platinum-chromium) were implanted into silicone vessel phantoms. For comparison, all vessel phantoms were also visualized by MRI and CT. Two radiologists assessed the images regarding stent-induced artifacts using a 5-point grading scale. Results The visualization of all stented vessel phantoms was achieved without stent-induced artifacts with MPI. In contrast, MRI and CT images revealed multiform stent-induced artifacts. Conclusion Given its clinical introduction, MPI has the potential to overcome the disadvantages of MRI and CT concerning the visualization of the stent lumen.