Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the quality of various 3D T1-weighted images (T1WIs) of the stent lumen using a carotid stent phantom and determine the suitable T1WI sequence for visualization of the stent lumen after carotid artery stenting.
Methods: The carotid stent phantom consisted of polypropylene tubes that mimicked common carotid arteries with and without stenting. On 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners, transverse T1WIs of the carotid stent phantom were obtained using 3D turbo spin-echo (TSE), 3D fast field-echo (3D-FFE), and 3D turbo field echo volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) under clinical conditions. The signal intensity ratio (SIR) was determined using the mean signal intensity of the stent lumen (SIstent) divided by the lumen without a stent in each T1WI. The SNR of the stent lumen (SNRstent) was calculated from SIstent divided by the standard deviation of the uniform region near the stent lumen.
Results: The 3D-FFE and VIBE had higher SNRstent than other T1WIs and clearly visualized the stent lumen. The 3D-TSE had the lowest SIR and SNRstent, preventing stent lumen visualization.
Conclusion: T1WIs obtained using 3D-FFE and VIBE allows stent lumen visualization.
Keywords: T1-weighted image; carotid artery stenting; gradient echo; magnetic resonance imaging; radiofrequency shielding; spin echo.