What is one technique used to minimize breathing artefacts in MRI studies?

Minimizing breathing artefacts is crucial in MRI to ensure clear and accurate images, especially in areas affected by patient movement. One effective technique involves the saturation of abdominal wall signals. This process works by applying a specific RF pulse that selectively nulls the signals from the muscles of the abdominal wall. As a result, any motion-related signals from breathing that might appear in the final image are reduced, allowing for improved clarity and less distortion.

This technique leverages the concept of chemical shift and T1 relaxation properties, targeting the fat and muscles in the region, thus diminishing their contribution to the image. The other methods mentioned, while relevant in different contexts, do not specifically address the challenge of breathing artefacts. For instance, shifting the imaging coil alters the area of coverage rather than directly reducing artefacts, and both reducing the echo time and increasing slice thickness can affect image resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, but they aren't direct solutions to mitigate breathing-related motion. Focusing on saturation of abdominal wall signals directly addresses the artefacts produced by respiratory motion, making it a targeted and effective approach in MRI technique.