Synopsis

Diffusion MRI is a key contrast mechanism that is used primarily in clinical neuroimaging for identifying acute ischemia. However, many other pathological processes can also demonstrate restricted diffusion, including viscous material/pus within abscesses, cytotoxic edema in infection and neuro-inflammation, and highly cellular tumors. This overview of clinical applications of diffusion MRI in the brain will illustrate the utility of diffusion MRI as a contrast mechanism through clinical case examples and demonstrate how diffusion may be used in place of gadolinium-based contrast agents to provide a specific diagnosis.