Use of Dual Energy Computed Tomography Imaging to follow up Stent-assisted Coil Embolization

Abstract

  It has been reported that metal artifacts make it difficult to use conventional computed tomography (CT) angiography to follow up the status of coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms. Recent advances in dual energy CT technology have made it possible to synthesize virtual monochromatic images and reduce beam-hardening artifacts.
  Energy subtraction image processing allowed density deletion of the coil within the aneurysm while keeping the contrast agent number high, thus eliminating artifacts from the coil and allowing evaluation of recurrence after coil embolization.
  Energy modulation allowed visualization of the intravascular stent and evaluation of the status of stent-assisted coil embolization. It is also possible to examine the status of an intravascular stent by optimizing the energy used to image the area after coil embolization.
  These advances in dual energy CT technology might influence the evaluation of risk in embolic events and guide the duration of anti-platelet therapy after coil embolization.