Stent Conformity in Curved Vascular Models with Simulated Aneurysm Necks Using Flat-Panel CT: An In Vitro Study

Nonsubtracted digital radiography (DR) images of the stents. The DRs of the Neuroform2 and Neuroform2-Treo stents visualize the proximal and distal platinum markers clearly; however, the structure of the stent cells and struts is poorly defined. The Neuroform2 image shows only faintly the prolapse of the struts at the site of the 8-mm opening (dotted blue ellipse). This phenomenon seems to occur to a lesser degree with the Neuroform-Treo stent because of the one extra connector along the circumference of the stent, reducing the area of open cells by about 39%. The Enterprise stent is only visualized by its proximal and distal platinum markers. The stent cells and struts are not defined because of the small size of the stent struts (50 × 50 μm); therefore, the structural details of stent are not visible. The LEO stent is seemingly better visualized throughout its entire length, outlined by 2 platinum wires intertwined along the surface of the stent serving as markers; the stent cells and struts, however, are not identifiable.

Neuroform2, DR and FPCT (MIPs). To increase flexibility and conformability, this stent has an open-cell design with 2 connectors per circumference. The DR shows the proximal and distal markers well (A, dotted arrows); however, the stent cells and struts are poorly defined. FPCT using multiplanar reconstructions or MIPs is superior in displaying the stent architecture in detail, allowing for differentiation between struts, connectors (seen as 2 moderately bright spots per circumference, C, arrows) as well as the platinum markers. Thin sections allow an “in-stent” view and clearly show the protrusion of stent struts through a 5-mm hole (“aneurysm neck,” dotted blue ellipse). This prolapse is difficult if not impossible to identify when using DR or fluoroscopy. FPCT makes it also possible to obtain cross sections of the stent lumen at the level of the opening, creating a double lumen figure (C, miniature yellow box).

Neuroform2 Stent: constant opening, increasing bend. MIPs, using section thickness of 1.0 mm (right column) and 5.0 mm (left column), bending with 120°, 90°, and 30° angles, over a simulated “aneurysm neck” (8-mm hole in the PTFE tube, dotted blue ellipse in the left column). The MIPs demonstrate an asymmetric deployment of the stent at the site of the hole. As the angle of the bend decreases, there is an increased opening of the stent cells, along with a tendency of the stent struts to protrude more into the aneurysm cavity (arrowheads). Using 1.0-mm section MIPs, starting at the 90° bend, a minor inward prolapse of the stent struts at the concavity (arrows) occurs. These findings are not detectable using current conventional radiographic techniques such as fluoroscopy or DR.

Neuroform-Treo Stent: constant bend 30°, increasing size of openings (“aneurysm necks”). MIPs using section thickness of 5.0 mm (left column) and 1.0 mm (right column), bending with 30° angle over 4-, 5-, and 8-mm holes or simulated “aneurysm necks” (left column, dotted blue ellipse). As compared with the NF2 stent, the NF3 shows less increase in cell opening with increased bend, probably because of the presence of one or more connectors per circumference. Some minor increase in opening can be seen remote from the curvature (arrows). The thin-section MIPs show an increased inward prolapse of struts into the stent lumen as the diameter of the holes increases. This seems more pronounced compared with the NF2. However, whether this phenomenon occurs also depends on the positioning of the stent relative to the location of the “aneurysm neck.” In the absence of a connector across the opening, the stent struts still protrude into the “aneurysm,” though to a lesser degree than seen with NF2. Miniatures (yellow boxes, left column): Cross-sectional view of the inner stent lumen at its midsection.

Enterprise Stent: constant 8-mm opening, increasing bend. MIPs, using section thickness of 5.0 mm (left column) and 1.0 mm (right column), bending with 90°, 60°, and 30° angles, over a 8-mm hole simulated “aneurysm neck” (dotted blue ellipse). It is evident that starting from a 90° bend, the Enterprise stent shows initially a minor flattening at its midsection that increases with 60° and becomes a true kinking at 30°. It also documents that the stent tends not to completely collapse, even though the midsection of the stent significantly changes its shape from round to oval and the diameter becomes relatively small (miniatures).