What is one limitation of having a higher receiver bandwidth in MRI?

Having a higher receiver bandwidth in MRI results in more noise. This occurs because a wider bandwidth allows for the acquisition of signals over a broader frequency range. While this can help with certain aspects of imaging, such as reducing chemical shift artifact, the trade-off is that it also allows more random thermal noise to enter the system. This increase in noise can negatively affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making it more challenging to distinguish the desired anatomical details in the images.

Furthermore, while a higher receiver bandwidth can shorten echo spacing and improve certain parameters of imaging, such as the ability to capture rapid imaging sequences, the primary downside is the additional noise introduced, which can impact the clarity of the resulting images.