What is the typical effect of using parallel imaging in MR imaging?

Using parallel imaging in MR imaging significantly shortens the scan time, which is the primary benefit of this technique. Parallel imaging leverages multiple receiver coils to capture data simultaneously, allowing for a reduction in the number of phase encoding steps required for image acquisition. By doing so, it accelerates the imaging process, enabling faster scans without sacrificing spatial resolution significantly.

This capability is particularly valuable in clinical settings where time is an essential factor, such as in busy hospitals where patient throughput is a priority. Moreover, faster imaging can help reduce motion artifacts caused by patient movement, as the scan duration is minimized.

While there are considerations regarding image quality, the method typically does not lead to a substantial reduction in quality when appropriately applied. Instead, parallel imaging can maintain adequate resolution while decreasing scan time, making it a preferred choice in many MRI protocols.