Diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance

In recent years, advances in ultrafast technology and a better understanding of the physical principles underlying the effect of MR contrast media have given rise to a new functional imaging technique, functional magnetic resonance. Functional techniques allow the acquisition of maps of the main haemodynamic parameters (perfusion MR or PWI), evaluation of the mobility of water molecules (diffusion MR or DWI) and the study of neuronal activation (fMRI). The combination of different functional techniques allows assessment of different complementary aspects of brain pathophysiology, during the same examination so that they cart be combined with information provided by conventional scans Following the advent of ultrafast techniques, functional MR imaging initially confined to research has gradually been introduced into clinical practice. This paper briefly described the physical principles underlying the diffusion and perfusion techniques and the main clinical applications.