This Prospective Observational Study Aims to Evaluate the Capability of Ultra-high-resolution Photon-counting CT Angiography (UHR PCD-CTA) for Noninvasive Evaluation of Intracranial Venous Sinus Stents. The Study Will Compare Image Quality, Stent Visualization, Metal-related Artifacts, and Diagnosti

Overview

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting CT angiography (UHR PCD-CTA) for noninvasive assessment of intracranial venous sinus stents. The study will compare image quality, stent visualization, metal-related artifacts, and diagnostic accuracy between PCD-CTA and conventional energy-integrating detector CT angiography (EID-CTA).

Intracranial venous sinus stenting has become an important treatment option for patients with symptomatic venous sinus stenosis, particularly those with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Accurate imaging follow-up after stent placement is essential for evaluating stent patency, recurrent stenosis, and potential complications such as in-stent thrombosis or occlusion. Conventional CT angiography (CTA) is commonly used for noninvasive follow-up after venous sinus stent implantation; however, accurate assessment of stented venous sinuses remains challenging due to metal-related artifacts. Blooming artifact caused by the high attenuation of metallic stent material may result in overestimation of stent thickness and obscuration of the stent lumen. In addition, beam-hardening artifacts from the stent and adjacent skull structures may further degrade image quality and reduce diagnostic confidence, potentially limiting the ability of CTA to detect clinically significant restenosis or thrombotic complications.

Conditions