Improved Computed Tomography Imaging Post-Flow Diverter Treatment Using a SOMATOM X.Cite Scanner.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Neuroradiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Flow diverter treatment necessitates reliable follow-up imaging.
• Conventional CT scans exhibit beam-hardening artifacts around stents, hindering accurate evaluation.
• Improved imaging techniques are crucial for assessing stent integrity and treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the imaging performance of the SOMATOM X.cite scanner for visualizing flow diverters.
• To assess the reduction of beam-hardening artifacts with the SOMATOM X.cite compared to conventional CT.
• To determine the utility of the SOMATOM X.cite for follow-up imaging after flow diverter stenting.

Main Methods:

• 27 patients with flow diverters underwent imaging using SOMATOM X.cite, conventional CT, and ARTISicono D-Spin.
• Aneurysm locations included the internal carotid and vertebral arteries, with sizes ranging from 5-10 mm to ≥10 mm.
• Image quality of the stented parent artery was subjectively scored on a 2-point scale (1=moderate, 2=good).

Main Results:

• SOMATOM X.cite significantly reduced beam-hardening artifacts compared to conventional CT.
• 26 out of 27 cases showed good (score 2) stent-condition images with SOMATOM X.cite, comparable to cone-beam CT.
• Conventional CT images were rated as moderate (score 1) in all 27 cases.

Conclusions:

• The SOMATOM X.cite scanner provides high-quality imaging for flow diverter follow-up.
• Its performance is comparable to cone-beam CT, offering superior artifact reduction.
• This scanner represents a valuable tool for post-stenting evaluation in neurovascular interventions.