DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MR-TOMOGRAPHY IN ACUTE STROKE

Magnetic resonance imaging represents today the most important tool in neuroradiology for both clinical pratice and research. MRI allows ima ging of the human body in 2 or 3 dimensions with variable tissue contr ast. The natural diffusion of tissue protons can now be used as a supp lementary contrast mechanism. Different MRI techniques can be used to obtain clinically useful diffusion-weighted images. These techniques a ll require the use of strong gradient pulses in order to obtain the di ffusion contrast. In the current article, the most important physical principles of diffusion measurement are presented. After a short intro duction into the basic physical principles, we will present the prereq uisites and limitations of clinically relevant applications today. Fin ally a few select examples of clinical use of these techniques in the acute diagnosis of stroke will be presented.