"Pseudoocclusion" of the internal carotid artery: a pitfall on intracranial MRA

We report a case showing "pseudoocclusion" of the internal carotid artery as a pitfall on intracranial MRA. Pseudoocclusion was attributed to magnetic susceptibility artifacts with metallic substances located proximal to a slab. The same finding could be reproduced on experimental MRA with a small steel coil applied on the anterior neck of a volunteer at the level of the carotid bifurcation.