Normal findings
- • Symmetric, no restricted diffusion
- • Normal flow voids in major vessels
Common abnormal findings
Acute infarct
- • Restricted diffusion on DWI
- • Low ADC
- • FLAIR positive after 6h
MS plaques
- • Ovoid periventricular FLAIR lesions
- • Perpendicular to ventricles (Dawson's fingers)
- • Enhancement = active
Tumour
- • T1 hypo/T2 hyper
- • Enhancement pattern
- • Surrounding oedema
Interpretation tips
- • DWI = most sensitive for acute infarct
- • Use SWI/GRE for blood products
Clinical correlation
- • Match imaging to clinical syndrome (NIHSS, time of onset)
- • Enhancement pattern guides DDx (ring = abscess/met/GBM)
Common mistakes
- • Calling old infarct as new without DWI/ADC
- • Missing leptomeningeal enhancement (meningitis/met)
Educational support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment.
