Susceptibility artifact induced by undigested iron tablets (sustained release carbonyl iron)

Susceptibility artifacts occur as the result of microscopic gradients or variations in the magnetic field strength that occurs near the interfaces of substance of different magnetic susceptibility. Large susceptibility artifacts are commonly seen surrounding ferromagnetic objects inside of diamagnetic materials (such as the human body). These gradients also cause dephasing of spins and frequency shifts of the surrounding tissues. The net results are bright and dark areas with spatial distortion of surrounding anatomy, which could mimic or mask pathologies but often they are correctable, therefore recognizing and correcting them could help us. Recently this effect is used in the study of pharmaceutical processes and gastrointestinal researches. Although it is theoretically known that tablets can cause susceptibility effects but this artifact does not occur in clinical practice very often. In this case report, we introduced susceptibility artifact induced by undigested carbonyl iron tablets.