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Introduction
Resolution is the ability of human eyes to distinguish one structure from other. In MRI the
resolution is determined by the number of pixels in a specified FOV. The higher the image
resolution, the better the small pathologies can be diagnosed. Resolution is directly
proportional to the number of pixels (The higher the number of pixels the greater the
resolution). Pixel size can be calculated by dividing the field of view by the matrix size (e.g.FOV
320, Matrix 320x320, Pixel size =320/320=1mm). There are two resolution parameters used in
MRI for the production of a two dimensional image i.e. basic resolution and phase resolution.
Basic resolution
Basic resolution is the number of pixels in the readout direction. Basic resolution also
determines the size of the image matrix. Basic resolution is inversely proposal to the size of the
pixel and (the lower the resolution the higher the pixel size).

SNR and Basic resolution

Signal to noise ratio (SNR) is inversely proportional to the basic resolution. In other words
SNR is directly proportional to the pixel size. Increasing the base resolution will reduce the
pixel size therefore the SNR of the image will be reduced.

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If we compare a 256 x 256 and 128 x 128 matrix format, the pixel size of 128(2x2mm) matrix is
four times larger than the 256(1x1mm) matrix but there is only half phase encoding steps (lines
in the k space). Therefore the SNR is calculated by 4/2 =2.82

Increasing the basic resolution will increase the image quality. Increasing the resolution more
than the acceptable range will produce grains in the image due to low SNR and reducing it
more than the acceptable range will produce a blurry image due to high SNR. Increasing basic
resolution will result in a prolonged scan time.

How to manipulate a grainy image?

Reduce the base resolution by one or two steps. Reducing base resolution will reduce the scan
time.

Increase slices thickness. Will increase the voxel size and SNR there for the image will become
smoother

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Increase average (NSA).increasing NSA will increase the scan time.

Decrease bandwidth. Decreasing bandwidth will increase the TR and TE therefore it will
increase the scan time.

Increase FOV. Increasing FOV increase the pixel size and SNR therefore the image will become
smoother.

How to manipulate a low resolution blurred image?

Increase the base resolution by one or two steps. Increasing base resolution will prolong the
scan time.

Decrease FOV. Decreasing FOV reduces the pixel size and SNR therefore the image will
become sharper.

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SNR and Basic resolution

Phase resolution is the number of pixels in the phase direction. Phase resolution normally
expressed as a percentage value of the basic resolution. Decreasing phase resolution will
increase the pixel size in one direction and result in a rectangular pixel shape.

Decreasing phase resolution will reduce the image quality and scan time. Reducing phase
resolution will increase the pixel size therefore the SNR will increase considerably.

In addition to the basic resolution image quality can be manipulated by changing the phase
resolution. Similar image quality can be obtain from 384x384 matrixes and 512x256 matrixes.

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