Metal artifact reduction in musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging.

Many strategies can be employed to reduce the size and scale of metal susceptibility artifacts in the vicinity of orthopedic hardware; factors include selection of metal hardware material, patient positioning, and MRI sequence adjustments and techniques. The adjustments to sequence parameters include high spatial resolution fast spin echo sequences with minimal interecho spacing and increased receiver bandwidth. Frequency and phase encoding gradients can be orientated so misregistration artifacts arising from the metal are directed away from areas of anticipated clinical diagnostic interest. Complications arising in the vicinity of metallic hardware, including loosening, can be assessed after implication of these metal artifact reduction techniques.