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Physical Principles of Diffusion Imaging

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Functional Neuroradiology

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Abstract

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) utilizes the constant random motion of water molecules, called Brownian motion, to depict the movement or diffusion of water in tissue structures. The diffusion of water molecules in the brain provides us with a sensitive window to its underlying physiology and structure. DWI of the brain was introduced into clinical use in the early 1990s, primarily in the detection of acute ischemic stroke. Since that time, advances in technology have resulted in significant improvements in image quality, allowing the application of DWI to the evaluation of a variety of intracranial disease processes, such as infections, neoplasms, demyelinating processes, and trauma. In this chapter, we review the physical principles of DWI, starting with a description of Brownian motion and its relevance to molecular diffusion. We then describe the application of these principles to DWI of the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We discuss basic imaging techniques in DWI of the brain, as well as limitations of current techniques, and newer imaging sequences that have been developed. The clinical applications of DWI are discussed in the following chapters.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 2 Dulles, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Thinesh Sivapatham MD (Fellow, Diagnostic Neuroradiology)

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Elias R. Melhem MD, PhD (Vice-Chair of Academic Affairs)

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  1. Thinesh Sivapatham MD
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  2. Elias R. Melhem MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Thinesh Sivapatham MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Temple University School of Medicine, 3401 Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19140-5189, Pennsylvania, USA

    Scott H. Faro

  2. Dept. of Radiology, Temple University Hospital, 3401 Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19140-5189, Pennsylvania, USA

    Feroze B. Mohamed

  3. , Radiology, University of Southern California School, Zonal Avenue 1975, Los Angeles, 90033, California, USA

    Meng Law

  4. , Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Watertown Plank Road 8701, Milwaukee, 53226, USA

    John T. Ulmer

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Sivapatham, T., Melhem, E.R. (2011). Physical Principles of Diffusion Imaging. In: Faro, S., Mohamed, F., Law, M., Ulmer, J. (eds) Functional Neuroradiology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0345-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0345-7_1

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