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DWI Physics and Imaging Techniques

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Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Fractional Anisotropy

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Abstract

This chapter deals with basic physics related to the microstructural Brownian motion of water molecules. The techniques related to diffusion-weighted imaging probe the movement of tissue microstructure which is reflected by its freedom of motion of water molecules. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps are free from the effects of T1 and T2 relaxation. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) gives us information on the restricted flow areas within the brain but does not give us accurate length and direction. However, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows us to measure the length and direction of the diffusion anisotropy of water molecules in vivo. Parallel imaging and echo-planar imaging (EPI) techniques employing quick data acquisition with reduced artefacts are employed in DWI and DTI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Rahul P. Kotian

  2. Department of Radio-Diagnosis and Imaging, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

    Prakashini Koteshwar

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Correspondence to Rahul P. Kotian .

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Kotian, R.P., Koteshwar, P. (2022). DWI Physics and Imaging Techniques. In: Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Fractional Anisotropy. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5001-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5001-8_3

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