Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has a central role in the assessment of the brain parenchyma, particularly in the context of acute stroke. However, the applications of DWI extend far beyond the brain parenchyma and include the assessment of the extra-axial structures of the head and neck that are included in routine brain imaging. In this pictorial review, the added-value of DWI over other conventional sequences is illustrated through discussion of a broad range of disorders affecting the vasculature, skull, orbits, nasal cavity and salivary glands. This article highlights the requirement for all structures, both intra- and extra-axial, to be carefully reviewed on DWI.

中文翻译：

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超越大脑：神经影像学中弥散加权成像的轴外病理学

弥散加权成像 (DWI) 在评估脑实质中具有核心作用，尤其是在急性中风的情况下。然而，DWI 的应用远远超出了脑实质，包括对头部和颈部的轴外结构的评估，这些结构包括在常规脑成像中。在本图文回顾中，通过对影响脉管系统、颅骨、眼眶、鼻腔和唾液腺的广泛疾病的讨论，说明了 DWI 相对于其他常规序列的附加价值。本文强调了在 DWI 上仔细审查所有轴内和轴外结构的要求。