title: Diffusion weighted imaging in osteoradiology.
abstract: Diffusion weighted imaging gained attention as an imaging modality, which provides information on the microstructure of a tissue, which can be used for tissue characterization. This is of importance in patients where other diagnostic tools provide equivocal or unspecific information. In addition quantitative diffusion measurements provide objective parameters for unbiased comparison of treatment response, which is mandatory for therapy monitoring. Technical restriction limited the use of Diffusion Weighted Imaging to the brain. However, with the improvement in scanner technology and the availability of new MR sequences investigation of the Muskulo Skeletal System was made possible. We describe the potential of Diffusion Weighted Imaging as a non-invasive technique to evaluate pathological, inflammatory and physiological processes in osteoradiology.
authors.affiliation: Departmentsof Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. andreas.herneth@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Andreas M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Herneth
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ringl
authors.forename: Mazda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Memarsadeghi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fueger
authors.forename: Klaus M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krestan
authors.forename: Herwig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imhof
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000473:pathology*