title: T2 FLAIR artifacts at 3-T brain magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to identify and evaluate the presence and frequency of T2 FLAIR artifacts on brain MRI studies performed at 3 T. We reviewed axial T2 FLAIR images in 200 consecutive unremarkable brain MRI studies performed at 3 T. All studies were reviewed for the presence of artifacts caused by pulsatile CSF flow, magnetic susceptibility and no nulling of the CSF signal. T2 FLAIR images introduce several artifacts that may degrade image quality and mimic pathology. Knowledge of these artifacts and increased severity and frequency at 3 T is of particular importance in avoiding a misdiagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Radiology Department, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lavdas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical, School of Thessaly, Biopolis, Greece. Electronic address: tsougos@med.uth.gr.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsougos
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Biopolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kogia
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Biopolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gratsias
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical, School of Thessaly, Biopolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Svolos
authors.affiliation: Farkadona, Medical Center, Trikala, Greece.
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roka
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Biopolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Fezoulidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Medical School of Thessaly, Biopolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Eftychia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kapsalaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Artifacts; Brain; MRI; T2 flair