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Magic angle effect - MRI artifact

Case contributed by Roberto Schubert
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

MRI performed for intractable wrist pain.

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Increased signal in the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon on T1-weighted image.

Increased signal in the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon.

Case Discussion

The magic angle effect causes increased signal in short TE images (less than 32 ms; T1W sequencesPD sequences and gradient echo sequences) of collagen-rich tendons, ligaments or fibrocartilage oriented at about 55° to the main magnetic field (B0). 

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