Diffusion kurtosis imaging: an emerging technique for evaluating the microstructural environment of the brain.

OBJECTIVE: Diffusion kurtosis imaging is an emerging technique based on the non-gaussian diffusion of water in biologic systems. The purpose of this article is to introduce and discuss the ongoing research and potential clinical applications of this technique. CONCLUSION: Diffusion kurtosis imaging provides independent and complementary information to that acquired with traditional diffusion techniques. The additional information is thought to indicate the complexity of the microstructural environment of the imaged tissue and may lead to broad-reaching applications in all aspects of neuroradiology.