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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. Diffusion-weighted imaging (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 will 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 will be discussed in following chapters.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Stroke Program, Interventional Neuroradiology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, USA

    Thinesh Sivapatham

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Elias R. Melhem

Authors
  1. Thinesh Sivapatham
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  2. Elias R. Melhem
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Correspondence to Elias R. Melhem .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuroradiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Scott H. Faro

  2. Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Feroze B. Mohamed

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Sivapatham, T., Melhem, E.R. (2023). Physical Principles of Diffusion Imaging. In: Faro, S.H., Mohamed, F.B. (eds) Functional Neuroradiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10909-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10909-6_1

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