MRI artifact - tattooed eyeliner

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Periorbital pain and headaches, ? orbital abnormality. On MRI safety sheet states "tattooed eyeliner - top and bottom"

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female

Susceptibility artifact associated with the eyelids bilaterally.  This obscures the globes anteriorly. The patient felt no ill-effects from MRI.

Case Discussion

Tattoo inks contain many heavy metals including titanium dioxide, lead, chromium, nickel and iron oxides.  These can cause susceptibility artefact on MRI.  They are usually non-ferromagnetic thus cause no heating or movement if injected into the eyelids as a liner.

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