Hi,, one of my MRIs said "artifacts" probably due to movement. My assumption was that it happens when an abnormality is shown on the image but is caused by extraneous imaging problems and is not a genuine lesion.
Having said that, the MRIs before and after this one showed extensive spinal lesions. Go figure!
Regards
I hope I can get this right - A simple concept is artifacts happen because there was a problem with the imaging technique used. As I understand it, and someone can correct me if I am wrong, even movement can cause an artifact.
When I first heard about MRI artifacts, I equated it to something old and left behind, just like an archaeological artifact. - And I was totally wrong.
I did a quick google to see if I could come up with a good list of the types of artifacts that might show on MRI's and here is a great site full of examples....
I particularly like the ZIPPER artifact , which is caused by a door being left ajar during the MRI process.
http://radiopaedia.org/articles/mri-artifacts
Another paper that might be of interest is
http://mrel.usc.edu/pdf/Smith_IM_2010.pdf
Good luck with your appointment,
L