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Artifacts in body MR imaging: their appearance and how to eliminate them
Alfred Stadler1, Wolfgang Schima, Ahmed Ba-Ssalamah
1Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
A wide variety of artifacts can be seen in clinical MR imaging. This review describes the most important and most prevalent of them, including magnetic susceptibility artifacts and motion artifacts, aliasing, chemical-shift, zipper, zebra, central point, and truncation artifacts. Although the elimination of some artifacts may require a service engineer, the radiologist and MR technologist have the responsibility to recognize MR imaging problems. This review shows the typical MR appearance of the described artifacts, explains their physical basis, and shows the way to solve them in daily practice.
Insights
This review details common magnetic resonance (MR) imaging artifacts, such as susceptibility and motion artifacts. It explains their origins and provides practical solutions for radiologists and technologists to identify and manage these imaging challenges.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Physics
Background:
- Clinical Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is susceptible to various artifacts.
- These artifacts can compromise diagnostic accuracy and require expert recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the most important and prevalent artifacts encountered in clinical MR imaging.
- To provide guidance on recognizing, understanding the physical basis of, and solving these artifacts.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of common MR imaging artifacts.
- Description of artifact appearance, physical principles, and practical solutions.
Main Results:
- Detailed discussion of magnetic susceptibility, motion, aliasing, chemical-shift, zipper, zebra, central point, and truncation artifacts.
- Illustrations of typical MR appearance for each artifact type.
Conclusions:
- Radiologists and MR technologists must be able to recognize common MR imaging artifacts.
- Understanding artifact origins aids in implementing practical solutions during daily practice.
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