Development of a cerebral CT perfusion phantom: A structured approach

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging is vital for diagnosing and managing vascular diseases, such as stroke.
• Variations in CTP scanner protocols can lead to inconsistent results, impacting clinical decisions.
• Objective validation of CTP imaging is crucial, and perfusion phantoms are key tools for this purpose.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, validate, and evaluate a novel brain perfusion phantom for assessing cerebral CTP.
• To establish a standardized workflow for CTP phantom development and evaluation.

Main Methods:

• A cerebral perfusion phantom was engineered using a 3D-printed modular design and the Design Science Research Methodology.
• The phantom incorporated sodium alginate beads and a pumping system to simulate microvasculature and blood flow dynamics.
• Reliability and repeatability of perfusion parameters, including time-density curves (TDCs), were assessed.

Main Results:

• The developed phantom features three compartments simulating diverse perfusion states.
• Reliable TDCs were observed, with relative standard deviations below 6.6% for peak intensity and time-to-peak (TTP).
• Repeatable TTP and mean transit time values were achieved, with a repeatability coefficient under 2.3 seconds.

Conclusions:

• The brain perfusion phantom demonstrates high reliability for evaluating CTP imaging across various flow rates.
• The established workflow enhances transparency and facilitates cross-study comparisons in CTP phantom research.
• This phantom serves as a valuable tool for the objective validation and consistent evaluation of CTP imaging techniques.