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MRI Artifact Masquerading as Orbital Disease

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Abstract

Objectives: To describe the diagnostic challenge associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifact and to describe methods of minimizing this artifact. Methods: Gadolinium enhancement was demonstrated to be artifact by using an inversion recovery pulse sequence technique. Results: A patient with complaints of painless loss of vision also had radiologic abnormalities that led to subsequent referral to a tertiary care facility. Increased signals on the fat-suppressed contrast enhanced MRI was demonstrated to be artifact by using an inversion recovery technique which produced a normal MRI of the orbit. Conclusions: Clinical confusion leading to unnecessary and costly evaluation may be avoided if one considers the possibility of artifact when reviewing magnetic resonance studies. When magnetic susceptibility is suspected, the use of an inversion recovery sequence can better delineate the true nature of the abnormality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, USA

    Bruce A. Brown & Andrew S. Eiseman

  2. Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Bruce A. Brown & Andrew S. Eiseman

  3. Ophthalmology Service, Moncrief Army Community Hospital, Columbia, SC, USA

    Bruce A. Brown

  4. Radiology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, USA

    Charles E. Swallow

  5. Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Charles E. Swallow

Authors
  1. Bruce A. Brown
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  2. Charles E. Swallow
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  3. Andrew S. Eiseman
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Brown, B.A., Swallow, C.E. & Eiseman, A.S. MRI Artifact Masquerading as Orbital Disease. Int Ophthalmol 24, 343–347 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:INTE.0000006832.22117.f6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:INTE.0000006832.22117.f6

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