What Is An Artifact In The Brain: Unraveling The Minds Enigma

Understanding MRI Artifacts

Artifacts in MRI, as defined on page 2, refer to any irregularity observed in an MRI image that is a result of the imaging process itself, rather than being linked to any anatomical or physiological abnormalities within the subject being scanned. These artifacts can manifest as various visual distortions or anomalies in the images, potentially impacting the accuracy of diagnosis or interpretation. To grasp the concept more comprehensively, it’s important to recognize that MRI artifacts encompass a wide range of factors, including but not limited to magnetic field distortions, patient motion, equipment-related issues, and radiofrequency interference. Identifying and mitigating these artifacts is crucial for obtaining high-quality MRI images and ensuring accurate clinical assessments.

MRI artifacts can arise from various sources, encompassing both technical and physiological aspects. These include software-related issues, hardware anomalies, the specific pulse sequences used during the scan, as well as factors pertaining to the patient themselves, such as variations in tissue composition or any motion during the imaging process (Fig 1). It’s important to note that a combination of these factors can often contribute to the manifestation of a single artifact. This comprehensive understanding helps in identifying and mitigating these distortions in MRI images (Published on April 22, 2022).