Dr. Vandecaveye on Diffusion MRI for Tumor Differentiation

Vincent Vandecaveye, MD, PhD, University Hospitals Leuven, discusses developments of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), specifically diffusion MRI, as a method to differentiate tumors and disease stages.

Conventional MRI methods include T1 imaging, T2 imaging, and contrast enhanced imaging, Vandecaveye explains. However, there are functional sequences in development or being further developed, such as perfusion MRI. This technique examines vascularity of lesions and is limited to specific organs, such as the liver.

A diffusion MRI measures the Brownian movement of water and how it is affected into microstructures, such as cells and blood vessels. This technique allows practitioners to distinguish between tumors, non-tumors, necrosis, and inflammation. Until recently, this tool was strictly used for focal, liver, and rectum imaging. However, technological advances have made it possible to use diffusion MRI as a whole body technique, Vandecaveye adds.