Which of the following is an effect of excessive heating in a patient during MRI?

Excessive heating in a patient during MRI can lead to patient burns, primarily due to the interaction of the radiofrequency (RF) energy with the body. During an MRI scan, RF energy is used to excite hydrogen nuclei, which generates heat. If the heating becomes excessive—often due to prolonged exposure or specific factors such as the presence of metal implants or inadequate cooling mechanisms—it can result in thermal injuries to the skin or deeper tissues.

This phenomenon is particularly concerning for areas where the RF energy is focused or where blood flow is limited, as these factors may reduce the body’s ability to dissipate heat effectively. Therefore, it is critical for MRI technologists and radiologists to monitor patients for signs of overheating and to follow established safety protocols to prevent burns.

The other options relate to different aspects of MRI operation: increased image resolution, artefact creation, and increased signal-to-noise ratio are all influenced by technical factors of the MRI process itself and do not correspond directly to the physiological effects of temperature increase in patients.