A review on investigation of the basic contrast mechanism underlying multidimensional diffusion MRI in assessment of neurological disorders

Abstract

Introduction: Multidimensional diffusion MRI (MDD MRI) is a novel diffusion technique that uses advanced gradient waveforms for microstructural tissue characterization to provide information about average rate, anisotropy and orientation of the diffusion and to disentangle the signal fraction from specific cell types i.e., elongated cells, isotropic cells and free water.

Aim: To review the diagnostic potential of MDD MRI in the clinical setting for microstructural tissue characterization in patients with neurological disorders to aid in patient care and treatment.

Method: A scoping review on the clinical applications of MDD MRI was conducted from original articles published in PubMed and Scopus from 2015 to 2021 using the keywords "Multidimensional diffusion MRI" OR "diffusion tensor distribution" OR "Tensor-Valued Diffusion" OR "b-tensor encoding" OR "microscopic diffusion anisotropy" OR "microscopic anisotropy" OR "microscopic fractional anisotropy" OR "double diffusion encoding" OR "triple diffusion encoding" OR "double pulsed field gradients" OR "double wave vector" OR "correlation tensor imaging" AND "brain" OR "axons".

Results: Initially 145 articles were screened and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine articles were included in the final analysis. In most of these studies, microscopic diffusion anisotropy within the lesion showed deviation from the normal-appearing tissue.

Conclusion: Multidimensional diffusion MRI can provide better quantification and visualization of tissue microstructure than conventional diffusion MRI and can be used in the clinical setting for diagnosis of neurological disorders.

Keywords: Diffusion tensor distribution; Microscopic anisotropy; Multidimensional diffusion MRI; Tensor Valued Diffusion.