Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the rectum: clinical applications.

Dramatic advances in image quality over the past few years have made diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) a promising tool for rectal lesion evaluation. DW-MRI derives its image contrast from differences in the motion of water molecules between tissues. Such imaging can be performed quickly without the need for the administration of exogenous contrast medium.

Diffusion-weighted imaging for the detection of mesenteric small bowel tumours with Magnetic Resonance--enterography.

Purpose: To retrospectively investigate the added value of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) for detecting mesenteric small bowel tumours (MSBTs) via MR-enterography.

Materials And Methods: MR-enterographies of 98 patients with suspected MSBTs were blindly analyzed by two independent readers for the presence of MSBTs. Four imaging sets including "standard" (Haste and TrueFisp), "standard + DWI," "standard + gadolinium-enhanced" and "standard + DWI + gadolinium-enhanced" were reviewed.

Diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in pelvic abscesses.

Objective: The objective of this study was to prospectively assess the added value of gadolinium-enhanced and diffusion-weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to pelvic T2-weighted MRI for diagnosis of deep pelvic abscesses.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with suspected abscess and a control group of 43 patients underwent T2-weighted, gadolinium-enhanced, T1-weighted and DWI magnetic resonance sequences. Three readers (R1, R2, R3) scored likelihood of abscess on standard MRI, standard MRI + gadolinium, and standard MRI + DWI.