title: Fluid-level motion artifact in computed tomography.
abstract: Ingestion of oral contrast material as a routine part of abdominal computerized tomographic scanning creates numerous gas and fluid interfaces within the gastrointestinal tract. Following deep inspiration or expiration, fluid motion induced by shifting intra-abdominal contents persists for several seconds. This causes radial streak artifacts to arise from air-fluid interfaces, even though respiration is suspended while the scan is made. Such artifacts can be reduced if the beginning of a scan is delayed to allow fluid motion to stop. An alternative is to re-scan an area of interest in the lateral decubitus position so as to shift air-fluid levels and their associated artifacts away from any region in question.
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009038:Motion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media