title: Off-frequency tuning error artifact in steady-state free precession cine imaging due to adjacent air-filled bowel.
abstract: Identification of common cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) artifacts is important to optimal image acquisition quality and the avoidance of mistaken clinical diagnosis. We describe an off-frequency tuning error artifact observed during rapid steady-state free precession acquisitions in three patients and resulting in a dramatic appearance within the right and left ventricles. These artifacts were associated with large, adjacent air pockets within a loop of bowel or stomach and were eradicated by retuning of the magnetic resonance scanner's frequency. Awareness of this artifact, its cause and correction, should improve diagnostic image quality and avoid clinical diagnostic confusion. This report also heightens the need for a more robust shimming sequence for cardiac studies.
authors.affiliation: Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust and the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK. vsorrell@email.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Vincent L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Sorrell
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gatehouse
authors.forename: Raad H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mohiaddin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D016477:Artifacts; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D006113:United Kingdom