How does increasing TE affect spatial resolution?

Increasing the echo time (TE) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) affects the characteristics of the image produced, particularly in relation to the timing of signal capture from tissues. While there are various parameters that can influence spatial resolution, increasing TE does not inherently change spatial resolution. Spatial resolution is primarily determined by the imaging technique, the size of the voxels, and the coil configuration rather than the timing of the echo.

In the context of MRI, spatial resolution refers to the ability to distinguish small structures in the image. It is usually defined by the pixel size or voxel size in the acquired images. Changes in TE mainly affect the contrast of the image due to the differences in tissue relaxation times, but they do not alter the physical dimensions of the pixels or the amount of detail discernable in the image.

Therefore, while increasing TE can enhance or diminish image contrast, it does not inherently lead to improvements or reductions in spatial resolution. This is why the answer indicates that spatial resolution does not change with an increase in TE.