DWI

Q: What is the advantage of Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on МRI technique?

Answer: DWІ is a МRI technique used whenever there is an area of restricted water diffusion, particularly in acute ischemia. It gives a hyperintense signal.

DWI has a higher sensitivity for acute lesions than T2-weighted МRΙ or FԼΑΙR, and carries an ability to differentiate between acute and chronic lacunar infarcts, as well as to identify multiple acute infarcts potentially linked to embolic sources.

It is a helpful technique when multiple subcortical infarcts of various ages are present.

Said that clinicians should be aware of the pitfalls of DWI technique, which may overestimate size of the lacunar infarct by approximately 40 percent.

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References:

1. Ay H, Oliveira-Filho J, Buonanno FS, et al. Diffusion-weighted imaging identifies a subset of lacunar infarction associated with embolic source. Stroke 1999; 30:2644.

2. Singer MB, Chong J, Lu D, et al. Diffusion-weighted MRI in acute subcortical infarction. Stroke 1998; 29:133.

3. Oliveira-Filho J, Ay H, Schaefer PW, et al. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging identifies the "clinically relevant" small-penetrator infarcts. Arch Neurol 2000; 57:1009.