Body MRI artefacts: from image degradation to diagnostic utility

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Physics of MR Imaging

Background:

• Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is susceptible to artefacts, particularly in abdominal and pelvic scans.
• These artefacts often degrade image quality and are typically viewed as detrimental to diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of recognizing common abdominopelvic MR imaging artefacts.
• To guide the selection of optimal imaging protocols and scan parameters for artefact minimization.
• To emphasize the diagnostic utility of certain MR artefacts when understood.

Main Methods:

• Review of common MR imaging artefacts in abdominopelvic regions.
• Discussion of the physical principles underlying artefact formation.
• Analysis of strategies for artefact reduction and exploitation.

Main Results:

• Abdominopelvic MR imaging artefacts commonly degrade image quality.
• Many artefacts can be minimized or eliminated through protocol and parameter optimization.
• Certain artefacts, like those in in-phase/out-of-phase GRE sequences, offer valuable diagnostic insights.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing and understanding the physical basis of MR artefacts is crucial for radiologists.
• This knowledge enables the distinction between detrimental artefacts and diagnostically useful signals.
• Effective management of MR artefacts enhances diagnostic capabilities in abdominopelvic imaging.