Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Computed Tomography-guided Time-domain Diffuse Fluorescence Tomography in Small Animals for Localization of Cancer Biomarkers
Published on: July 17, 2012
Diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging in the evaluation of primitive
E Erdem1, R A Zimmerman, J C Haselgrove
1Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
The aim of our study was to determine whether fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) would be helpful in characterizing primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) from other pediatric brain tumors. We expected that the compact cellular nature and the relatively small extracellular space of this tumor would affect the signal intensity on both pulse sequences relative to the more sparsely cellular glial tumors that have larger extracellular spaces. Eighteen pediatric patients with PNET were examined on a 1.5 T MRI with routine imaging plus FLAIR and compared with 28 patients with nonPNET. DWI was also performed in 7 PNET and 18 non-PNET. Seventyeight percent of PNET were isointense to gray matter on FLAIR while 82% of non-PNET were hyperintense and only one was isointense (3%). Diffusion was abnormally restricted in all 7 PNET examined (100%) but was restricted in non-PNET in only 1 out of 18 (6%) patients who had DWI. The differences in the histologic architecture between PNET and non-PNET are reflected in both FLAIR imaging and in DWI.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging

