Which of the following is an advantage of using a small coil in MRI?

Using a small coil in MRI provides several advantages, particularly in terms of signal clarity and image quality. One of the significant benefits is that small coils have a decreased volume of tissue they receive a signal from, which can lead to improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the region of interest. This enhanced SNR is particularly beneficial in studies where fine detail is critical.

Additionally, smaller coils are less prone to aliasing artifacts, especially when imaging smaller fields of view (FOV). Aliasing occurs when signals from outside the FOV are incorrectly mapped into the image, causing distortion. With a smaller coil focused on a smaller area, the likelihood of picking up signals from outside that area decreases, reducing the chance of aliasing effects. This makes smaller coils particularly advantageous for high-resolution imaging of specific anatomical structures without interference from surrounding tissues.

In essence, the use of a small coil in MRI can yield images with improved clarity and fewer artifacts, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and analysis.