Increased-contrast, high-spatial-resolution, diffusion-weighted, spin-echo, echo-planar imaging

An insertable head gradient coil with a maximum gradient amplitude of 45 mT /m and a rise time of 150 mu sec along all three major axes was used to col lect high-spatial-resolution, single-shot, spin-echo, echo-planar, diffusio n-weighted magnetic resonance images with b values ranging from 0 to 2,200 sec/mm(2). Improvements in spatial resolution allowed better visualization of large white matter tracts and their relation to adjacent anatomic struct ures. Excellent contrast and anatomic detail were revealed for most structu res in :the brain when a sufficient number of acquisitions were collected.