Eddy-current-induced artifacts caused by an "MR-compatible" halo device.

Traction or halo devices thought to be compatible with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and made of nonferromagnetic metals may actually cause MR image artifacts. The authors have observed such artifacts caused by eddy currents generated in the conducting frame of the device by the radio-frequency excitation field. The severity of the artifact depends on the orientation of the device in the MR unit and can be effectively eliminated by disrupting the electrical continuity of the supporting frame of the device.