Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging: clinical applications in neuroradiology.
Among functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) plays an important role in the assessment of a wide variety of brain diseases. DWI provides image contrast that depends on the molecular motion of water and it can be easily added to a standard cranial MR examination, with limited increase in time (imaging time ranges from a few seconds to 2 minutes). DWI is particularly sensitive in the detection of acute ischaemic stroke and in monitoring its evolution (also in the light of new therapeutic strategies for early treatment). Diffusion-weighted MR imaging also provides adjunctive information in the differential diagnosis of other brain diseases including neoplasms, intracranial infections, traumatic brain injury and demyelination some of which may manifest with sudden neurological deficits mimicking acute ischaemic stroke.
Romano
Andrea
A
Cattedra di Neuroradiologia - Ospedale S. Andrea - II Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia Università "La Sapienza" Roma, Italy. andrea.romano@uniromal.it
Bozzao
Alessandro
A
Bonamini
Michela
M
Fasoli
Fabrizio
F
Ferrante
Michele
M
Floris
Roberto
R
Colonnese
Claudio
C
Fantozzi
Luigi Maria
LM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis