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Cited by 498Advanced MRI Techniques and ApplicationsMRI in cancer diagnosisNMR spectroscopy and applications

What can we see with IVIM MRI?

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Le Bihan, Denis·2019·NeuroImage
DOI 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.062
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Abstract

Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) refers to translational movements which within a given voxel and during the measurement time present a distribution of speeds in orientation and/or amplitude. The IVIM concept has been used to estimate perfusion in tissues as blood flow in randomly oriented capillaries mimics a pseudo-diffusion process. IVIM-based perfusion MRI, which does not require contrast agents, has gained momentum recently, especially in the field oncology. In this introductory review the basic concepts, models, technical requirements and limitations inherent to IVIM-based perfusion MRI are outlined, as well as new, non-perfusion applications of IVIM MRI, such as virtual MR Elastography.

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  • IVIM broadened diffusion MRI from a method of tissue microstructure toward a more general method capable of quantitative imaging of perfusion parameters (e.g., blood volume and blood flow through fIVIM and D*) without exogenous tracers or contrast agents.

    “The conceptual importance of IVIM for brain neuroimaging has been substantial, broadening diffusion MRI from a method of tissue microstructure toward a more general method capable of quantitative imaging of perfusion parameters (e.g., blood volume and blood flow through fIVIM and D*) without the need for exogenous tracers or contrast agents (Iima & Le Bihan, 2016; Le Bihan, 2019).”

    From 40 Years of diffusion MRI in the brain: From history to emerging frontiers (2026) · cites this paper as Le Bihan, 2019

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  • Because D* is typically much larger than D, the IVIM contribution is concentrated at very low b-values, but remains difficult to separate robustly from diffusion because fIVIM is small (around a few percent).

    “In the brain, D* is typically much larger than D, so the IVIM contribution is concentrated at very low b-values, but remains difficult to separate robustly from diffusion because fIVIM is small (around a few percent) (Fig. 3) (Iima & Le Bihan, 2016; Le Bihan, 2019; Le Bihan & Turner, 1992; Le Bihan et al., 1988).”

    From 40 Years of diffusion MRI in the brain: From history to emerging frontiers (2026) · cites this paper as Le Bihan, 2019

  • IVIM-based vMRE further expands this concept by generating virtually synthesized rather than physically induced shear-wave phenomena within tissues using the principles of IntraVoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) established earlier for blood microcirculation to model the intravoxel phase-shift distribution that would be induced by virtual tissue motion.

    “IVIM-based vMRE further expands this concept by generating virtually synthesized rather than physically induced shear-wave phenomena within tissues using the principles of IntraVoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) established earlier for blood microcirculation (Le Bihan, 2019; Le Bihan et al., 2017) to model the intravoxel phase-shift distribution that would be induced by virtual tissue motion.”

    From 40 Years of diffusion MRI in the brain: From history to emerging frontiers (2026) · cites this paper as Le Bihan, 2019

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Le Bihan, D.
Venue
NeuroImage
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-02
Volume
187
Pages
56-67
ISSN
1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.062
OpenAlex
W2778713466
Cited by
498
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 69 · 2025: 95 · 2024: 78 · 2023: 71 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 3
FWCI
14.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • NeuroImage (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › MRI in cancer diagnosis
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › NMR spectroscopy and applications
Keywords
intravoxel incoherent motion, perfusion MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging, capillary blood flow, pseudo-diffusion, tumor imaging
MeSH terms
Brain, Cerebrovascular Circulation, Diffusion, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Models, Neurological, Water, Perfusion Imaging

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