title: [Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen].
abstract: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) provides qualitative and quantitative information of tissue cellularity and the integrity of cellular membranes. Since DW-MRI can be performed without ionizing radiation exposure and contrast media application, DW-MRI is a particularly attractive tool for patients with allergies for gadolinium-based contrast agents or renal failure. Recent technical developments have made DW-MRI a robust and feasible technique for abdominal imaging. DW-MRI provides information on the detection and characterization of focal liver lesions and can also visualize treatment effects and early changes in chronic liver disease. In addition DW-MRI is a promising tool for the detection of inflammatory changes in patients with Crohn's disease.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmid-Tannwald
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zech
mesh_terms: D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy