Definition: The type of MRI sequence used to identify areas of an organ, such as the brain, which have recently been damaged or injured.
The MRI machine is set to detect small restrictions in the movement of water molecules inside the injured areas. These small changes, which are commonly referred to as "areas of restricted diffusion," are detected by the MRI machine and ultimately appear as bright spots inside the organ being investigated.
Also Known As: DWI sequence, DWI MRI
Examples: Areas of acute stroke look like bright spots on DWI MRI.
