Quick Overview

A combination of B1 inhomogeneity, poor slice profile, and insufficient spoiler gradients between the refocusing pulse and the readout interval of a spin echo sequence results in a FID signal being detected along with the echo.
Since the FID is not phase encoded (normally the phase encoding occurs before the refocusing pulse), it is not dispersed along the phase encoding axis, but appears as a line across the center of the image.

If the problem persists, it must be addressed by a service representative.

(SNR or S/N) The signal to noise ratio is used in MRI to describe the relative contributions to a detected signal of the true signal and random superimposed signals ('background noise') - a criterion for image quality.
One common method to increase the SNR is to average several measurements of the signal, on the expectation that random contributions will tend to cancel out. The SNR can also be improved by sampling larger volumes (increasing the field of view and slice thickness with a corresponding loss of spatial resolution) or, within limits, by increasing the strength of the magnetic field used. Surface coils can also be used to improve local signal intensity. The SNR will depend, in part, on the electrical properties of the sample or patient being studied. The SNR increases in proportion to voxel volume (1/resolution), the square root of the number of acquisitions (NEX), and the square root of the number of scans (phase encodings). SNR decreases with the field of view squared (FOV2) and wider bandwidths. See also Signal Intensity and Spin Density.

Measuring SNR:
Record the mean value of a small ROI placed in the most homogeneous area of tissue with high signal intensity (e.g. white matter in thalamus). Calculate the standard deviation for the largest possible ROI placed outside the object in the image background (avoid ghosting/aliasing or eye movement artifact regions).
The SNR is then:
Mean Signal/Standard Deviation of Background Noise

(NSA) The average number for each phase encoding step. The NSA determine each distinct position-encoded signal to be used in image reconstruction.

See also Signal Averaging.

The electromagnetic signal in the radio-frequency range produced by the precession of the transverse magnetization of the spins. The rotation of the transverse magnetization induces a voltage in a receiving antenna (coil), which is amplified and demodulated by the receiver circuits. Electromagnetic signal in the radio frequency range produced by the precession of the transverse magnetization of the spins. The rotation of the transverse magnetization induces a voltage in a coil, which is amplified and demodulated by the receiver;; the signal may refer only to this induced voltage.

(FESUM) See Gradient Recalled Echo Sequence and In Phase Image.