T2 FLAIR artifacts at 3-T brain magnetic resonance imaging

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• T2 FLAIR MRI sequences are crucial for detecting brain lesions.
• Artifacts in T2 FLAIR images can degrade diagnostic quality.
• Higher magnetic field strengths, like 3 Tesla (3T), may exacerbate these artifacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and evaluate the presence and frequency of T2 FLAIR artifacts.
• To assess artifacts on brain MRI studies specifically performed at 3T.
• To understand how common artifacts are and their potential to mimic pathology.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 200 consecutive, unremarkable brain MRI studies.
• Analysis of axial T2 FLAIR images acquired at 3T.
• Evaluation for artifacts related to pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, magnetic susceptibility, and CSF signal nulling.

Main Results:

• T2 FLAIR images are prone to artifacts that can compromise image quality.
• Artifacts caused by pulsatile CSF flow, magnetic susceptibility, and inadequate CSF nulling were observed.
• These artifacts are particularly relevant at 3T, where they may be more severe or frequent.

Conclusions:

• T2 FLAIR artifacts are a significant consideration in 3T brain MRI.
• Awareness of these artifacts is essential for accurate interpretation and avoiding misdiagnosis.
• Increased artifact severity and frequency at 3T necessitate careful review of T2 FLAIR images.