Artifacts in brain magnetic resonance imaging due to metallic dental objects.
OBJECTIVE
Artifacts caused by metallic objects, such as dental crowns, dental implants and metallic orthodontic appliances, are a common problem in head and neck MRI. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the main metal dental objects that produce artifacts on brain MRIs.


METHODS
Imaged metallic artifacts and their sources were identified. Artifact image plane was rated on a score of 0 or 1 (0--distinguishable for diagnosis and 1--not distinguishable for diagnosis).


RESULTS
Seventy-eight percent of the artifacts appearing in images were caused by orthodontic appliances, followed by dental titanium implants (18%) and metallic crowns (4%). Orthodontic appliances obtained the highest scores in all planes.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that is difficult to avoid the effect of metallic artifacts in the maxillofacial regions on brain scan. Removing metallic parts of the orthodontic appliance should ensure diagnostically useful quality scans.
Costa
Andre L F
AL
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Laboratory of Neuroimaging, University of Campinas, Cidade Universitaria Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP, Brazil. alfcosta@gmail.com
Appenzeller
Simone
S
Yasuda
Clarissa-Lin
CL
Pereira
Fabrício R
FR
Zanardi
Verônica A
VA
Cendes
Fernando
F
D016477:Artifacts; D003764:Dental Materials; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003764:Dental Materials