Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Spinal Lesions
Summary
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) exploits the random motion of water molecules to characterise tissue microstructure and cellular integrity within the spinal column. In spinal lesions, malignant, infectious and degenerative processes alter the rate and directionality of diffusion, providing a non-invasive biomarker for lesion differentiation. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping and advanced diffusion models such as intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) enable quantification of both true molecular diffusion and microvascular perfusion. Recent advances in echo-planar imaging and high b-value sequences have improved spatial resolution and lesion conspicuity, facilitating early diagnosis, treatment planning and response assessment. This modality is now integral to the evaluation of vertebral fractures, metastatic deposits, spinal infections and intradural tumours, with growing evidence of its prognostic and therapeutic utility.
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Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Spinal Lesions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in spinal lesions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI): An MRI technique that sensitises signal to the Brownian motion of water molecules, revealing microstructural changes in tissue.
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC): A quantitative metric derived from DWI that reflects the magnitude of water diffusion within a voxel.
b-value: A parameter controlling the strength and timing of diffusion weighting in DWI sequences; higher b-values increase sensitivity to slower diffusion.
Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM): A bi-exponential model separating true molecular diffusion from microcirculatory perfusion by fitting signal decay at multiple b-values.
Spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI): A rapid MRI acquisition technique that combines spin-echo preparation with echo-planar readout to capture diffusion-weighted data in a single shot.
References
- Single shot zonal oblique multislice SE-EPI diffusion-weighted imaging with low to ultra-high b-values for the differentiation of benign and malignant vertebral spinal fractures. European Journal of Radiology Open (2021).
- Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation between different vertebral lesions using ADC mapping as a quantitative assessment tool. Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (2022).
- Intravoxel incoherent motion to differentiate spinal metastasis: A pilot study. Frontiers in Oncology (2022).
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