What effect would using a steep slice select slope and/or narrow bandwidth have on slice thickness?

Using a steep slice select slope and/or narrow bandwidth will result in thinner slices in MRI. The slice select slope refers to the gradient used during the slice selection process. A steeper slope allows for a more precise definition of the slice thickness because it creates a sharper transition between the excited and non-excited tissues. This sharp transition enables better differentiation between adjacent slices, therefore contributing to thinner, more defined slices.

Narrow bandwidth, on the other hand, relates to the range of frequencies that the MRI system can process during the acquisition. A narrow bandwidth reduces the range of frequencies that are excited, which also leads to thinner slices. This is because the selection of a narrower frequency range allows for a more localized excitation of the protons, thus enhancing the distinction between adjacent slices.

Thinner slices are particularly important in MRI for improving spatial resolution and minimizing partial volume effects, which can obscure the details in the imaged anatomy. By making the slices thinner, it facilitates better image quality and clearer visualization of structures as each slice contains a more homogenous representation of the tissue volume.