MAGNETOM World

Frequently Asked Questions: Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI)

Joachim Graessner, Dipl. Ing.
Siemens Healthcare, Hamburg, Germany
|2011-03-21

MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is no longer just for brain applications. Whole body DWI is becoming a standard application in routine imaging.
Whole body DWI has become as valuable as T2 contrast in tumor imaging and it allows characterization of tissue properties. This report provides responses to some of the more frequently asked questions including the background, application, and interpretation of whole body DWI and its calculated Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) images.