Abstract
In this article, the underlying theory of clinical diffusion MR imaging, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography, is reviewed. First, a brief explanation of the basic physics of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping is provided. This is followed by an overview of the additional information that can be derived from the diffusion tensor, including diffusion anisotropy, color-encoded fiber orientation maps, and 3D fiber tractography. This article provides the requisite background for the second article in this 2-part review to appear next month, which covers the major technical factors that affect image quality in diffusion MR imaging, including the acquisition sequence, magnet field strength, gradient amplitude and slew rate, and multichannel radio-frequency coils and parallel imaging. The emphasis is on optimizing these factors for state-of-the-art DWI and DTI based on the best available evidence in the literature.
Highlights
This 2-part review explores the current state of the art for the acquisition and analysis of clinical diffusion imaging, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography. This first article begins with an explanation of the basic physics and underlying theory of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping. This is followed by an overview of the additional information that can be derived from the diffusion tensor, including diffusion anisotropy, color-encoded fiber-orientation maps, and 3D fiber tractography
This article provides the necessary background for the second article, which focuses on the major technical factors that affect image quality in diffusion imaging, with an emphasis on optimizing these factors for state-of-the-art DWI and DTI based on the best available evidence in the literature
The limitations of the diffusion tensor in areas of complex white matter architecture, where fiber tracts intersect, branch, or are otherwise partial volume averaged within a voxel, affect the ability of DTI fiber tractography to fully delineate an axonal pathway and may lead to the generation of spurious tracks.[95]
Summary
SUMMARY: In this article, the underlying theory of clinical diffusion MR imaging, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography, is reviewed. DTI and fiber tractography have already advanced the scientific understanding of many neurologic and psychiatric disorders and have been applied clinically for the presurgical mapping of eloquent white matter tracts before intracranial mass resections This 2-part review explores the current state of the art for the acquisition and analysis of clinical diffusion imaging, including DTI and fiber tractography. This first article begins with an explanation of the basic physics and underlying theory of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping. This is followed by an overview of the additional information that can be derived from the diffusion tensor, including diffusion anisotropy, color-encoded fiber-orientation maps, and 3D fiber tractography. This article provides the necessary background for the second article, which focuses on the major technical factors that affect image quality in diffusion imaging, with an emphasis on optimizing these factors for state-of-the-art DWI and DTI based on the best available evidence in the literature
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