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.