Nonsusceptibility artifacts due to metallic objects in MR imaging

Abstract

The authors investigated eddy current artifacts due to metallic objects within the magnetic resonance imaging field. The problem was simplified by using a circular copper loop as a model for the more complex eddy current pathways present in a metallic implant. With this simple geometry, the authors show that radio-frequency (RF)-induced eddy currents in the metal produce a significant local artifact. However, no appreciable artifacts due to the switching magnetic field gradients were observed. A detailed quantitative analysis of the mechanism of RF-induced eddy current artifact due to the the copper loop was performed. The artifact was demonstrated experimentally to result from perturbations of the transmit and receive sensitivities of the RF coil. Theoretical calculations of these perturbations showed excellent agreement with experimental results. With an understanding of the artifact mechanism, methods for correcting the RF-induced eddy current artifact were applied.