Diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain in infants and children.
During the last decade, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has become an important tool in the evaluation of a variety of disorders of the central nervous system in children. DWI relies on variability in the diffusivity of water molecules in the presence of a supplemental diffusion-sensitizing gradient to produce image contrast. Pathologic states alter the diffusion characteristics of brain water in a reproducible fashion. In this review, the DWI appearances of a number of common abnormalities of the brain in infants and children are presented.
Robertson
Richard L
RL
Department of Radiology, Main 2, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA. Richard.Robertson@childrens.harvard.edu
Glasier
Charles M
CM
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn