Magic angle effect (MRI artifact)
The magic angle is an MRI artifact which occurs on sequences with a short TE (less than 32ms; T1W sequences, PD sequences and gradient echo sequences).
It is confined to regions of tightly bound collagen at 54.74° from the main magnetic field (B0), and appears hyperintense, thus potentially being mistaken for tendinopathy.
Normal
In tightly-bound collagen, water molecules are restricted usually causing very short T2 times, accounting for the lack of signal.
Artifact
When molecules lie at 54.74°, there is lengthening of T2 times with corresponding increase in signal. Thus in short TE sequences, the T2 signal does not decay significantly before the scanner picks up the signal. On the other hand, in long TE sequences (like T2WI), by the time the scanner picks up the signal, T2 signal has already decayed.
The reason for this change is due to quantum mechanics: in the set of equations that describe the interaction of spins (their Hamiltonian), there are several terms that are orientation-dependent. Normally, these orientations are averaged over as protons tumble around thermally, but in sites with long-range order these terms can be important. In the case of structured collagen, lots of water binds to the outside of the protein, and therefore exhibits an orientation-dependent effect.
Typical sites include:
- proximal part of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
- infrapatellar tendon at the tibial insertion
- peroneal tendons as they hook around the lateral malleolus
- cartilage can be affected, e.g. femoral condyles
- supraspinatus tendon
- triangular fibrocartilage complex (if the patient is imaged with the arm elevated)
It appears that at 3.0T the effects are reduced.
Other non-pathologic causes of high signal within tendons include near tendon insertions, and/or where the tendon normally fans out or merges with other tendons.
Remedy
Tends to occur only on short TE sequences (e.g. T1, GRE, PD), sequences with a longer TE (e.g. T2 including FSE T2) can be used to avoid this artifact.
Siehe auch:
- Musculus supraspinatus
- Gradientenechosequenz
- Artefakte in der Magnetresonanztomographie
- posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu magic angle effect:
