title: Diffusion-weighted MRI of the abdomen: current value in clinical routine.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high tissue contrast without ionizing radiation exposure and unenhanced images are often diagnostic. Therefore, MRI is especially an attractive tool for patients with allergies for gadolinium-based contrast agents or renal failure. Technical advantages have led to the increasing use of diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI in abdominal imaging, which provides qualitative and quantitative information of tissue cellularity and the integrity of cellular membranes. This review article presents the current status of noncontrast MRI with the focus of DW-MRI. Technical background and clinical applications are explained and discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Munich Hospitals-Grosshadern, Department of Clinical Radiology, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmid-Tannwald
authors.forename: Aytekin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oto
authors.forename: Maximilian F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zech
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000494:pharmacology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology; D061214:Patient Safety
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium