What effect does using a narrow receiver bandwidth have on susceptibility artifacts?

Using a narrow receiver bandwidth increases susceptibility artifacts in MRI scans. The bandwidth refers to the range of frequencies that the receiver can detect during the MRI data acquisition process. A narrower bandwidth means that the receiver is focused on a smaller range of frequencies, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio but at the cost of increased susceptibility to artifacts.

Susceptibility artifacts arise primarily from variations in magnetic field strength due to differences in tissue types or materials, such as air and brain tissue. When the receiver bandwidth is narrowed, the system becomes more sensitive to these frequency variations, leading to a greater manifestation of susceptibility effects. This increased sensitivity results in artifacts that can obscure or distort the images, especially near interfaces of materials with significant magnetic susceptibility differences.

In contrast, a wider receiver bandwidth would limit the influence of these variations by averaging them out, thereby reducing the impact of susceptibility artifacts. This fundamental relationship between bandwidth and susceptibility effects is a key consideration for radiologists and technicians when optimizing MRI protocols for clearer imaging outcomes.