Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
-
J Magn Reson Imaging · Jun 2012
ReviewLow b-value diffusion-weighted imaging: emerging applications in the body.
Thanks to recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging technology, it has become possible to perform intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in any part of the body. Extracranial applications of DWI are currently under active investigation, especially for oncological imaging. ⋯ Non-quantitative low b-value DWI may especially be useful for the evaluation of structures that have an inherently low signal at high b-value DWI, including (but not limited to) the liver, heart, and small bowel. This article will review and discuss the basic principles and potential applications of nonquantitative low b-value DWI in the body.