What does SNR stand for in the context of MRI?

In the context of MRI, SNR stands for Signal to Noise Ratio. This term is crucial in medical imaging as it quantifies the level of the desired signal to the level of background noise. A high SNR indicates that the image has a strong and clear signal compared to the noise, which is essential for producing high-quality diagnostic images.

In MRI, the signal comes from the hydrogen nuclei in the body being excited by radiofrequency pulses, while noise can arise from various sources, such as electronic interference or physiological motion. A higher SNR means clearer images that are more reliable for accurate diagnosis. This is particularly important in assessing subtle pathologies, where distinguishing between noise and real signals can significantly impact patient care. Therefore, optimizing SNR is a major focus in MRI techniques and technology.