High flip angle imaging of metallic stents: implications for MR angiography and intraluminal signal interpretation.

Intraluminal stent signal characterization by MRI is generally hampered by signal loss from the metallic stent material. This signal loss is related to magnetic susceptibility and RF shielding. Even when stent materials with low magnetic susceptibility are used, RF shielding can still be problematic. In this article we have shown that high flip angle imaging enables morphology assessment and tissue characterization in stents made of stainless steel 316L, NiTinol, and ABI-alloy. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.