Motion artifacts in brain and spine MR

The diagnostic quality of head and spine images depends, in a large degree, on the ability of the selected MR technique to reduce the artifacts caused by flowing CSF and blood. We have outlined the basic physical and physiologic causes for these artifacts and have discussed the various means for coping with this problem. Cardiac gating, even-echo rephasing, and motion-compensating gradients (MAST) are the widely employed techniques used in dealing with these artifacts. For its simplicity and for its ability to give the highest quality diagnostic image, the use of motion compensating gradients is the most efficacious technique.