title: Diffusion-weighted MRI and the evaluation of spinal cord axonal integrity following injury and treatment.
abstract: Diffusion-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (DWI) has been shown experimentally to detect both injury and functionally significant neuroprotection of injured spinal cord white matter that would otherwise go undetected with conventional MRI techniques. The diffusion of water in the central nervous system (CNS) is thought to be affected by both its location (intracellular or extracellular), and by diffusion barriers formed by cell membranes and myelin sheaths. There is, however, controversy concerning how to obtain, interpret, and present DWI data. Computer simulations and MR microscopy have been helpful in resolving some of these issues, as well as determining exact histologic correlates to DWI findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. schwartz@rad.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hackney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008959:Models, Neurological; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology