Training activity information
Details
Identify a range of MRI artefacts and their causes. Demonstrate modifications to the acquisition protocol, hardware and/or reconstruction which reduce or eliminate them
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Physics of MR image acquisition and reconstruction
- Impact on image quality of pulse sequences, acquisition parameters, subject motion, triggering/gating and k-space trajectory
- Artefacts such as: aliasing; motion; ghosting; blurring; distortion; chemical shift; out-of-phase; Gibbs ringing; susceptibility/off-resonance; drop-out; RF noise; herring-bone; over-ranging; Nyquist; water-fat swap
- Artefacts in combination
- MRI hardware components and impact on image quality
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- Consider specific insights you hope to gain regarding the practical management of MRI image quality issues.
- Think about your current knowledge of MRI artefacts and their impact on diagnostic accuracy.
- Anticipate learning about the specific strategies used to minimise different types of MRI artefacts.
- Consider how understanding artefacts contributes to the optimisation of MRI examinations.
- Discuss the common MRI artefacts to be focused on with your training officer2.
- Review resources on MRI artefacts, including their appearance, causes, and methods of reduction.
- Familiarise yourself with the MRI system’s protocol editing capabilities, hardware adjustments, and reconstruction options.
- Consider working with experienced MRI technologists to observe how artefacts are identified and addressed in clinical practice.
- Reflect on your current ability to recognise and troubleshoot image quality issues in MRI.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you approaching the identification of artefacts and the implementation of corrective measures? Why are you doing it this way?
- What decisions are you making as you analyse the images for artefacts and select appropriate modifications?
- What aspects of recognising MRI artefacts and understanding their causes feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort?
- How effective are your actions in identifying different MRI artefacts and successfully reducing or eliminating them through protocol, hardware, or reconstruction adjustments?
- What challenges are you facing in correctly diagnosing the cause of an artefact or finding effective solutions?
- What can you learn about the practical management of MRI image quality as it unfolds?
- How does this activity connect to your knowledge of MRI physics and image formation?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering for identifying or correcting the artefacts?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment to troubleshoot a particular artefact?
- Are you systematically testing different modifications and observing their impact on the artefacts?
On action
- What different types of MRI artefacts did you identify (e.g., motion, aliasing, susceptibility)?
- What were the underlying causes of these artefacts?
- What modifications to the acquisition protocol, hardware, or reconstruction were effective in reducing or eliminating the artefacts?
- What did you learn about the origins and characteristics of common MRI artefacts?
- How did this activity enhance your understanding of strategies for artefact reduction and mitigation?
- In what ways did your reflection-in-action (during the activity) influence the modifications you attempted?
- How will this knowledge assist you in identifying and addressing artefacts in clinical MRI images?
- What further research or learning could you undertake to expand your knowledge of advanced artefact correction techniques?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your skills in this area?
Beyond action
- Reflect on the MRI artefacts you identified and the methods you used to reduce them. How readily can you still recall these artefacts and their solutions?
- During your observations of clinical MRI scans, have you noticed any of these artefacts? Were the acquisition protocols adjusted to minimise them?
- Consider if your understanding of the physics behind these artefacts has become clearer, further informing your knowledge of mitigation strategies.
- Has this activity enhanced your ability to identify MRI artefacts in clinical images and understand their potential impact on diagnosis?
- Has your knowledge of how to modify acquisition parameters or reconstruction techniques to reduce artefacts improved your ability to troubleshoot image quality issues?
- How has this experience prepared you for discussions about strategies to reduce the impact of artefacts during observed clinical events?
- How will a strong understanding of MRI artefacts and their correction be valuable in future roles involving protocol optimisation, quality assurance, or research?
- What further learning about more complex or subtle MRI artefacts and their advanced mitigation techniques would you like to undertake?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Identify ultrasound and MRI artefacts and advise on parameters to mitigate the impact on clinical images. |