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Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Artifacts and pitfalls in pediatric head computed tomography: physics, principles, and clinical impact
Joseph Wishart1, Sakura M Noda2,3, Jeffrey P Otjen2
1Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, P.O. Box 357987, Seattle, WA, 98195-7987, United States. wishartj@uw.edu.
Abstract:
Pediatric head computed tomography (CT) presents unique geometric and patient-specific challenges that give rise to a wide range of imaging artifacts, some quite subtle, potentially obscuring anatomy or mimicking pathological patterns. To ensure accurate diagnosis, careful analysis of imaging techniques and knowledge of potential artifact mechanisms are critical. This review presents technical explanations and clinical examples of artifacts caused by acquisition parameters, patient characteristics, and scanner performance. Mitigation strategies are also discussed, providing insight into fundamental image reconstruction and corresponding appearance.
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