Artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging

A magnetic resonance imaging artifact is defined as any signal intensity, or void, which does not have an anatomic basis in the object imaged. The classification of artifacts is complicated by the multifactorial basis of production: the interrelationship between software, hardware, and RF/static magnetic field components, the pulse sequence parameters, and the system dependent nature of artifacts relating to static magnetic field strength, magnetic gradient strengths, RF coil type, and body part examined. Realizing that any classification of MRI artifacts is arbitrary and incomplete, the authors propose the following general outline based upon the predominant causative agent or affected system component: status magnetic field (Bo), radiofrequency magnetic field (RF or B), gradient magnetic field (Gx, Gy, Gz), motion, sequence parameters, and miscellaneous. A brief description of the classical appearance of the artifact, a concise explanation of its origin, and any corrective methods examples of more frequently seen MRI artifacts. In light of the variability of MR systems, the authors have included artifacts common to all MR imaging systems