Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2011
ReviewDiffusion magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered the most common inflammatory autoimmune neurologic disorder and the most frequent cause of nontraumatic neurologic disability in young and middle-age adults. This article reviews the basic features of its magnetic resonance (MR) imaging lesions and, primarily, the use of diffusion MR imaging, which is increasingly applied to assess patients with MS, not only to investigate plaques but also the normal-appearing white matter, gray matter, optic nerve, and spinal cord, because of its ability to detect and quantify disease-related pathologic conditions of the central nervous system.
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Traumatic brain injury is a common cause of death worldwide, affecting mostly young people. The most feasible examination to be performed in the emergency room is computed tomography. ⋯ This article describes the recent advances in trauma based on diffusion-weighted MR imaging findings and in brain injury from head trauma based on diffusion-weighted MR imaging and diffusion tensor MR imaging findings. Current and potential clinical applications are discussed.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2011
ReviewDiffusion tensor imaging for evaluation of the childhood brain and pediatric white matter disorders.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been used by investigators and clinicians to assess the development of the brain in childhood to understand both patterns of normal growth and patterns by which a maturing brain may deviate from normal. Advanced MR techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have gained prominence as a means of assessing brain development. This review explains the sequence of brain maturation and the means by which DTI can be used to assess it in normal children.