[Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the spine and cord]

Due to its excellent sensitivity, MR imaging is invaluable for the evaluation of lesions of the cord and spine. Several studies dedicated to diffusion-weighted MR evaluation of the cord and spine have been published. While diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the brain is routinely performed, it is seldom performed when imaging the spine due to serious limitations. While anatomical limitations may not be changed, the voxel size, phase-encoding direction, mode of k-space filling, and acceleration factor are all parameters that can be optimized in order to routinely obtain diffusion-weighted imaging of the spine on 1.5T and 3T scanners.