Which artifact is most prevalent during MRI scans?

Ghosting from motion is the most prevalent artifact encountered during MRI scans due to the impact of patient movement during the imaging process. This artifact arises when a patient shifts position, breathes, or moves in any way that disrupts the acquisition of the MRI data. As the scanner captures images, motion can cause blurring or duplicate images to appear, resulting in distinct ghost-like artifacts superimposed on the final images.

The characteristics of ghosting artifacts depend on the type of scan being performed and the motion itself. For instance, if a patient moves regularly—like during breathing—the ghosting effect will appear at predictable intervals, making it a challenge to interpret the MRI images accurately.

In clinical practice, the ability to minimize ghosting artifacts often hinges on patient cooperation and awareness, as well as technical measures such as using shorter acquisition times or advanced motion correction sequences. Understanding this common artifact can better prepare MRI technologists to troubleshoot issues during scanning and improve image quality for diagnosis.