Differential diagnostic approach to MR imaging of white matter diseases.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to explore the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features and the advanced MR techniques for differential diagnosis of white matter diseases of the brain.


RESULTS
Magnetic resonance imaging is exquisitely sensitive for detecting brain abnormalities. Particularly in the evaluation of white matter diseases, MR far outperforms any other imaging technique. Lesions that may be quite subtle or even invisible on computed tomography are often clearly seen on the MR scan. The MR signal characteristics of white matter lesions are similar and relatively nonspecific, but other distinguishing features are often present to assist in diagnosis, such as the pattern of the abnormality, location, signal intensities, and enhancement features. Advanced MR techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging, MR spectroscopy, and perfusion imaging, provide additional specificity to the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional MR images and advanced MR techniques are very helpful in distinguishing various types of white matter disease, for assessing disease burden, and for separating acute and chronic lesions.
Hesselink
John R
JR
Department of Radiology, UCSD Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103-8756, USA. jhesselink@ucsd.edu
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity