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Pitfalls and artifacts encountered in clinical MR imaging of the spine
K H Taber1, R C Herrick, S W Weathers
1Department of Radiology, Herbert J. Frensley Center for Imaging Research, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine has become widely accepted as a valuable diagnostic tool. However, there are a number of artifacts and pitfalls associated with spinal MR imaging. Chemical shift artifacts may be induced by bone marrow, epidural fat, or intradural fat. Motion artifacts arise from several sources, which include respiration, flow of fluids, and swallowing. Artifacts due to a nonuniform magnetic field are particularly noticeable within trabecular bone or at bone-soft tissue interfaces but may also be caused by incomplete fat saturation or the presence of metal near the spine. Protocol errors may cause artifacts such as saturation, phase wraparound, truncation, radio-frequency interference, shading, and partial volume averaging. Use of fat saturation, use of motion and flow compensation, and careful screening of patients for metal in clothing can help reduce the occurrence of artifacts. In addition, use of an optimal imaging technique is essential and should include use of the proper surface coil, field of view, and pulse sequence.
Insights
Spinal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a valuable diagnostic tool, but artifacts can occur. Understanding chemical shift, motion, magnetic field, and protocol errors helps improve spinal MR imaging quality.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Spinal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a crucial diagnostic modality.
- Numerous artifacts and pitfalls can compromise image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify common artifacts and pitfalls in spinal MR imaging.
- To discuss strategies for artifact reduction and optimization of imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of common artifact sources including chemical shift, motion, magnetic field inhomogeneity, and protocol errors.
- Discussion of specific artifact examples like those from bone marrow, epidural fat, fluid flow, and metal presence.
- Identification of techniques to mitigate artifacts, such as fat saturation and motion compensation.
Main Results:
- Chemical shift artifacts originate from fat-containing tissues.
- Motion artifacts are influenced by physiological processes and fluid flow.
- Magnetic field nonuniformity and protocol deviations lead to various image degradations.
- Artifacts manifest as signal loss, geometric distortion, or spurious signals.
Conclusions:
- Awareness of artifact origins is key to accurate spinal MR interpretation.
- Implementing fat saturation, motion compensation, and patient screening reduces artifact occurrence.
- Optimizing imaging parameters like surface coil, field of view, and pulse sequence is essential for high-quality spinal MR imaging.