Abstract
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are advanced magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that are based on differences in the diffusion
rate of water molecules in brain tissue. DWI and DTI are widely used in pediatric
neuroradiology to evaluate a wide spectrum of brain diseases. The interpretation of
DWI and DTI images requires a basic knowledge of the underlying physics to detect
potential pitfalls and avoid misinterpretation. Several DWI pitfalls are related to
the dependency of DWI images not only on the diffusivity of water molecules, but also
on various additional MRI phenomena such as the T1- and T2- relaxation characteristics
and MRI-related artifacts. In addition, knowledge about the age of the child and interval
between the onset of injury and acquisition of DWI/DTI images is important. Finally,
qualitative evaluation (“eye-balling”) maybe misleading, and the application of quantitative
measurements of DTI scalars may avoid misdiagnosis.
Keywords
brain - children - neuroimaging - diffusion-weighted imaging - diffusion tensor imaging
- pitfalls - artifacts
