Diffusion MRI Outside the Brain

Diffusion MRI allows indirect estimation of the perfusion and cellularity of normal and abnormal tissues and has conventionally been used in the brain in order to evaluate ischemia, tumors, and other conditions. Application in other parts of the body has been hampered by the occurrence of motion and susceptibility artifacts. However, recent advances in MR technology are overcoming these hurdles, allowing the use of diffusion MRI in organs outside the brain.

In this book, the authors present cases drawn from daily clinical practice to illustrate the role of diffusion sequences, along with other morphological and functional MRI information, in the work-up of a variety of frequently encountered oncological and non-oncological diseases. Breast, musculoskeletal, whole-body, and other applications are covered in detail, with careful explanation of the pros and cons of diffusion MRI in each circumstance. Quantification and post-processing are discussed, and advice is provided on how to acquire state of the art images, and avoid artifacts, when using 1.5- and 3-T magnets. Applications likely to emerge in the near future, such as for screening, are also reviewed. The practical approach adopted by the authors, combined with the wealth of high-quality illustrations, ensures that this book will be of great value to practitioners.