Low b-value diffusion-weighted imaging: emerging applications in the body.

ABSTRACT

Thanks to recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging technology, it has become possible to perform intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in any part of the body. Extracranial applications of DWI are currently under active investigation, especially for oncological imaging. However, the use of non-quantitative low b-value (10-100 s/mm(2)) DWI in the body is still a relatively unexplored field, and its potential is not fully recognized. Non-quantitative low b-value DWI may especially be useful for the evaluation of structures that have an inherently low signal at high b-value DWI, including (but not limited to) the liver, heart, and small bowel. This article will review and discuss the basic principles and potential applications of nonquantitative low b-value DWI in the body.