MR artifacts after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion: a cadaver study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the source of metallic artifacts observed on cervical spine MR studies following anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACD&F), preoperative and postoperative MR studies were done on cadavers using standard spin echo T1, T2, and GRASS imaging.


METHODS
An ACD&F was performed on each cadaver at various levels using different combinations of drill burrs, curettes, and suction tips.


RESULTS
Results showed that contact between the drill burr and suction tip produced the worst artifacts; however, artifacts still occurred in cases in which the suction tip was not introduced.


CONCLUSIONS
This observation suggests that metal flakes from the curettes also produced artifacts. Image distortion was greater on GRASS imaging than on the spin echo imaging.
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-3910.
V E
VE
Toro
A
A
Goodrich
D W
DW
Lundy
L
L
Meeks
R E
RE
Figueroa
E F
EF
Binet
D016477:Artifacts; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008670:Metals; D013123:Spinal Fusion
D008670:Metals