Diffusion-weighted echo-planar MR imaging: clinical applications and pitfalls - A pictorial essay

Diffusion-weighted imaging DWI) provides unique information about various p athological changes of the brain. DWI is sensitive for the detection of hyp eracute infarcts, and useful in distinguishing acute or subacute infarcts f rom chronic infarcts. DWI is useful in differentiating cytotoxic edema from vasogenic or interstitial edema, which may help to determine prognosis. DW I is useful in differentiating cystic or necrotic tumors from abscesses or epidermoids. DWI can discriminate nonenhanced tumor infiltration from vasog enic edema, and differentiate dysmyelination from demyelination. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.