Parameters and Tradeoffs

Benefits of increasing TR

Increased SNR, more number slices

Limitations of increasing TR

increased scan time, less T1 contrast

Benefits of reducing TR

decreased scan time, increased T1 contrast

Limitations of decreasing TR

less SNR, less slices

Benefits of increasing TE

increased T2 contrast

Limitations of increasing TE

reduced SNR

Benefits of reducing TE

increased SNR

Limitations of reducing TE

less T2 contrast

Benefits of increasing NSA

increased SNR and signal averaging

Limitations of increasing NSA

Increased scan time

Benefits of reducing NSA

decreased scan time

Limitations of reducing NSA

less SNR and signal averaging

Benefits of increasing slice thickness

SNR increases and coverage

Limitations of increasing slice thickness

Less slice resolution and increased partial voluming

Benefits of reducing slice thickness

more slice resolution and decreased partial voluming

Limitations of reducing slice thickness

reduced SNR and reduced anatomic coverage

Benefits of increasing FOV with fixed matrix

increased SNR, increased coverage, reduced aliasing

Limitations of increasing FOV with a fixed matrix

reduced resolution

Benefits of reducing FOV with a fixed matrix

increased resolution

Limitations of reducing FOV with a fixed matrix

reduced SNR and coverage, increased aliasing

Benefits of increasing receive bandwidth

reduced chemical shift and minimum TE

Limitations of increasing receive bandwidth

reduced SNR

Benefits of reducing receive bandwidth

increased SNR

Limitations of reducing receive bandwidth

increased chemical shift and increased minimum TE

Benefits of using a large coil

increased area of received signal

Limitations of using a large coil

less SNR, more sensitive to artifacts, more aliasing with small FOV

Benefits of using a small coil

More SNR, less sensitive to artifacts, less prone to aliasing with small FOV

Limitations of using a small coil

less area of received signal

benefits of increased phase matrix with fixed FOV

increased resolution

Limitations of increased phase matrix with fixed FOV

reduced SNR if pixels small, increased scan time

Benefits of reduced phase matrix with fixed FOV

less scan time, more SNR if pixel large

Limitations of reduced phase matrix with fixed FOV

reduced resolution