Work

Pulsation-related motion artifact of the external iliac artery mimicking localized dissection: An unexpected finding

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Contrast-enhanced CT is widely used for the evaluation of acute aortic dissection, but non-ECG-gated studies may still be affected by motion artifacts that mimic true vascular pathology. We report a woman in her forties who presented with right back pain. Non-ECG-gated contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated a discontinuous linear finding in the right external iliac artery, suggestive of a localized dissection. Follow-up CT performed 3 weeks later showed a similar appearance. Cine MRI subsequently revealed marked pulsatile motion of the right external iliac artery with approximately 6-mm displacement, resulting in compression and deformation of the adjacent external iliac vein. These findings confirmed that the CT abnormality represented a pulsation-induced motion artifact rather than true dissection. Although advances in CT technology have reduced motion artifacts, they may still occur in vessels with substantial pulsatile mobility. When such artifacts are suspected, complementary imaging-such as ultrasound, cine MRI, or ECG-gated CT-can facilitate accurate diagnosis and prevent unnecessary intervention.

Source: Radiology Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2026.01.077

Authors: Kanako Miyara, Nanae Tsuchiya, Takaaki Nagano, Satoko Yogi, Akihiro Nishie

Institutions: Nanbu Tokushukai Hospital, University of the Ryukyus

Language: English

Topic: Cerebrovascular and Carotid Artery Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $600