This study investigates the development of a small focal cortical lesion produced in a model of brain injury. Two approaches were chosen: diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and histology. DW images were collected before devascularization and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after treatment. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated from the DW images to quantify lesion development. As a second measure of injury, tissue morphology was analyzed using cresyl violet histochemistry. A significant reduction in ADC values within the cortex below the injury site by 0.5 days after surgery was observed. Between 5 and 14 days the ADC values recovered to control levels. ADC changes were also observed in the contralateral cortex at 0.5, 1 and 5 days. The decrease in ADC observed at the early time points suggested cytotoxic edema, whereas the recovery to control levels at later time points suggested infarct formation. This model of brain injury resulted in progressive but relatively slow formation of a pan-necrotic infarct within 14 days. In particular, substantial amounts of cell death were not observed until 2 days after surgery. Overall, the quantitative and histological measures of this lesion are consistent with those observed for an ischemic type of injury, however, the time course of these lesions' development are consistent with other models of traumatic brain injury. Our data demonstrates that DWI is a highly sensitive metric for ischemic-type damage that results from brain injury.