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Recognizing patient-related artefacts in MRI of the breasts: principles, imaging appearance, and solutions to
Ka Wai Wong1, Ting Wong1, Chi Man Chau1
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Kowloon West Cluster, Hong Kong.
Abstract:
Breast MRI has emerged as an increasingly important tool in evaluating breast pathologies including detection and assessment of cancers, evaluation of implant integrity and as a problem-solving tool for inconclusive conventional breast imaging findings. MRI artefacts encountered during image interpretation may create diagnostic dilemmas. Many of these artefacts are patient-related and can be avoidable. Identification of these artefacts can be challenging in daily practice in particular to trainees or inexperienced radiologists. This article illustrates the principles and imaging appearance of the common patient-related artefacts in breast MRI, with discussion on how to minimize them. They include positioning-related artefacts, inhomogeneous fat suppression, susceptibility artefacts including those associated with the newly emerged non-radioactive wireless localization devices and superparamagnetic lymphatic tracer, as well as motion artefacts. Familiarization with these 4 major types of artefacts by radiologists is crucial in troubleshooting and achieving accurate image interpretation.
Insights
Patient-related artifacts in breast MRI can complicate cancer detection and assessment. This guide details common artifacts like positioning, fat suppression, susceptibility, and motion issues, offering strategies to minimize them for accurate interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Breast MRI is vital for diagnosing breast pathologies, including cancer detection, implant evaluation, and resolving inconclusive conventional imaging.
- Artifacts in MRI interpretation can lead to diagnostic challenges, particularly for less experienced radiologists.
- Many common artifacts are patient-related and potentially avoidable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illustrate the principles and imaging appearance of common patient-related artifacts in breast MRI.
- To discuss strategies for minimizing these artifacts to improve diagnostic accuracy.
- To enhance radiologists' familiarity with artifact identification and troubleshooting.
Main Methods:
- Review and illustration of common patient-related artifacts in breast MRI.
- Categorization of artifacts into positioning-related, inhomogeneous fat suppression, susceptibility, and motion artifacts.
- Discussion of artifact minimization techniques.
Main Results:
- Identified four major types of patient-related artifacts in breast MRI: positioning, inhomogeneous fat suppression, susceptibility (including new localization devices and tracers), and motion.
- Provided visual examples and explanations of their appearance on MRI.
- Outlined methods to reduce the occurrence and impact of these artifacts.
Conclusions:
- Familiarity with common patient-related breast MRI artifacts is crucial for accurate interpretation and troubleshooting.
- Minimizing these artifacts improves the reliability of breast MRI in clinical practice.
- Radiologists, especially trainees, benefit from understanding artifact causes and avoidance strategies.
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