ABSTRACT
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and more recently diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) techniques have become established tools in the clinical routine, with great impact on neurosciences regarding brain tissue integrity and especially white matter microstructure. The chapter introduces and analyzes the artifacts and pitfalls in a qualitative way, as well as to evaluate possible mitigating strategies or solutions to overcome them. In that sense, the potential user of DWI techniques will be able to avoid or correct errors and make sound interpretations. The chapter examines several steps of the analysis pipeline, which can be grouped into the following three distinct categories: preprocessing of data; quantitation of parameters; and intrasubject and intersubject comparisons. The material will be a good starting point and a valuable reference in the difficult task of MR diffusion data evaluation and interpretation.
