MRI susceptibility artifact due to dry hair shampoo

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell , 23 May 2017
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Sachi Hapugoda, 23 May 2017

Updates to Case Attributes

Presentation was changed:
Chronic headaches. Artefact on MRI scan. Patient sent home to wash hair and returned for repeat imaging.
Body was changed:

Dry shampoo is used to remove grease from unwashed hair and contains:

  • Cornstarch to bind fatty acids
  • Kaolin absorbs grease
  • Laminaria saccharina extract is an anticlumping agent to reduce caking of the corn starch and kaolin
  • Magnesium Stearate is also an anticlumping agent to reduce caking of the corn starch and kaolin
  • Denatured Alcohol is a solvent for the corn starch and kaolin
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas is the propellant for the spray can

The kaolin, cornstarch and magnesium can all cause artefact due to local magnetic field distortion, being most prominently seen on the echoplanar sequences ie. DWI and SWI.

  • -</ul><p>The kaolin, cornstarch and magnesium can all cause artefact due to local magnetic field distortion, being most prominently seen on the echoplanar sequences ie DWI and SWI</p>
  • +</ul><p>The kaolin, cornstarch and magnesium can all cause artefact due to local magnetic field distortion, being most prominently seen on the echoplanar sequences ie. DWI and SWI.</p>

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