Which of the following best describes the impact of decreased spatial resolution on imaging?

Decreased spatial resolution refers to the ability of an imaging system to distinguish between small objects that are close together. When spatial resolution is lower, the system is less capable of capturing the fine details necessary for accurate assessments of structures in the images. As a result, this often leads to a loss of fine detail, making it more challenging to identify small lesions or subtle changes in tissue. This degradation in image quality can impede the ability of radiologists to make accurate diagnoses, as important features that could influence treatment decisions may become obscured or indistinguishable.

In radiology, maintaining high spatial resolution is essential for effective imaging, particularly in areas where fine detail is crucial for diagnosis, such as in mammography or when examining complex anatomical structures. Therefore, the impact of decreased spatial resolution is significant and detrimental to the overall diagnostic process.