Susceptibility artifacts can be caused by?

Susceptibility artifacts primarily arise from variations in the magnetic field caused by the presence of different materials, particularly metals, within the scanned area. When metal is present, it can create distortions in the local magnetic field, leading to inaccuracies in signal reception and subsequent image artifacts. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced because metals, due to their magnetic properties, can significantly alter the magnetic environment, causing variations in the phase and frequency of the signals received by the MRI machine.

In contrast, while the type of receiving coil, improper patient positioning, and inconsistent imaging sequences may contribute to other kinds of artifacts or imaging issues, they do not fundamentally cause the susceptibility artifacts in the same manner as the presence of metal does. The unique interaction between metal and the magnetic field is what specifically leads to this type of artifact, making it essential to recognize metal in the area of interest as the key factor in susceptibility artifacts.