Clinical applications of diffusion weighted imaging in neuroradiology

摘要: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has revolutionised stroke since its introduction in the mid-1980s, and it also become a pillar of current neuroimaging. Diffusion abnormalities represent alterations random movement water molecules tissues, revealing their microarchitecture, occur many neurological conditions. DWI provides useful information, increasing sensitivity MRI as diagnostic tool, narrowing differential diagnosis, providing prognostic aiding treatment planning evaluating response to treatment. Recently, there have been several technical improvements DWI, leading reduced acquisition time artefacts enabling development diffusion tensor (DTI) tool for assessing white matter. We aim review main clinical uses focusing on physiological mechanisms that lead abnormalities. Common pitfalls will be addressed. • includes EPI, TSE, RESOLVE or EPI combined with volume excitation. is most sensitive sequence diagnosis information about prognosis. helps detection intramural haematomas (arterial dissection). In imaging, ADC inversely proportional tumour cellularity. DTI derived parameters can used biomarkers different pathologies.