[Intracranial artifact un magnetic resonance caused by embolization of microscopic metallic fragment]. / Artefacto intracraneal en resonancia magnética causado por embolización de fragmentos metálicos microscópicos.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) artifacts have been described in many articles published in the literature. We present the case of a 72 year old man who was admitted due to left inferior limb weakness. MRI imaging demonstrated an acute right infarction of the right posterior cerebral artery. In the right frontal lobe a metallic artifact was demonstrated as well. The artifact showed a central signal void and it was surrounded by a high signal intensity rim. His aortic valve had been replaced 12 years earlier. This indicates that the artifact is in fact due to a small metallic fragment embolization during cardiac surgery.