Presentation
Chronic headache. Artifact on MRI scan. Patient sent home to wash hair and returned for repeat imaging.
Patient Data
Age: 45 years
Gender: Female
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382105/2f63fe9a092439894199729b55752f_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382107/fea0479ae652c7326e93c8aa1416ff_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382109/3b158880b1b1cb451e4d611dc28eb6_thumb.jpeg)
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Info
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382105/2f63fe9a092439894199729b55752f_big_gallery.jpeg)
Susceptibility artifact in the left anterior scalp that disappears after the hairwash. Similar artifact associated with falcine ossification remains unchanged.
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382106/abffe3ec324f7db701395047b5c009_thumb.jpeg)
![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382108/ca280379cf6ae53172b8c46c31e2af_thumb.jpeg)
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![](https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/30382106/abffe3ec324f7db701395047b5c009_big_gallery.jpeg)
The artifact is no longer present.
Case Discussion
Dry shampoo is used to remove grease from unwashed hair and contains:
- cornstarch: to bind fatty acids
- kaolin: to absorb grease
- Laminaria saccharina (type of seaweed) extract: anticlumping agent to reduce caking of the cornstarch and kaolin
- magnesium stearate: also an anticlumping agent
- denatured alcohol: solvent for the cornstarch and kaolin
- liquefied petroleum gas: propellant for the spray can
The kaolin, cornstarch and magnesium may all cause artifacts due to local magnetic field distortion, most prominently seen on the echo-planar sequences, i.e. DWI and SWI.