1) Understand the development of whole body diffusion-weighted MRI and its relevance for disease detection, especially in the oncologic practice. 2) Learn how to perform and optimize whole body diffusion-weighted MRI for disease assessment. 3) Recognize common artifacts in whole body diffusion-weighted MRI and how to address these. 4) Review interpretative pitfalls in using whole body diffusion-weighted MRI for disease evaluation.
Whole body Diffusion-weighted MRI (WB-DWI) can be applied for disease detection, tumor staging and the assessment of treatment response. With recent MR hardware and technological innovations, the technique can be performed on most current MR system within 30-40 minutes, without the need for intravenous contrast administration. The technique is most robust when performed at 1.5T, as the technique is more sensitive to artefacts that may arise from magnetic field inhomogeneity at 3.0T.
Whole body diffusion-weighted MRI is usually acquired with T1-weighted morphological images for disease evaluation. The high contrast of disease against the signal suppressed background produces "at-a-glance" high-b-value images, which aid disease detection and assessment. However, meticulous technique is required to maximize image signal-to-noise and to minimise artifacts.
The WB-DWI high b-value images should be interpreted together with the morphological images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Knowledge of potential interpretive pitfalls is important to avoid mistakes and establish this relatively new modality within the radiologic practice.
Koh, D,
Whole Body Diffusion-weighted Imaging—Tips, Tricks, and Pitfalls. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/13010418.html
