Millisecond magnetic particle imaging of a cerebral aneurysm phantom with and without flow diverter stent

Undetected, asymptomatic brain aneurysms are associated with risk of progressive expansion, followed by rupture and hemorrhage, increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity. Imaging techniques to assess the state and stent treatment of aneurysms are beneficial. By Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), we were able to resolve with millisecond temporal resolution the location and movement of a tracer bolus in different parts of an artery phantom derived from a patient specific CT data set including a cerebral aneurysm. To assess the success of a flow diverter stent treatment, we compared flow MPI measurements in the artery phantom without a flow diverter stent with images where a stent was inserted. Our results provide valuable information on the capabilities and prospects of MPI of vascular structures and the detection and quantification of flow changes in untreated and treated aneurysms for future in vivo applications.