Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Role of diffusion-weighted echo-planar MRI in distinguishing between brain brain abscess and tumour: a preliminary
K Noguchi1, N Watanabe, T Nagayoshi
1Department of Radiology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama City, Japan.
Abstract:
Our purpose was to evaluate diffusion-weighted (DW) echo-planar MRI in differentiating between brain abscess and tumour. We examined two patients with surgically confirmed pyogenic brain abscess and 18 with metastatic brain tumours or high-grade glioma, using a 1.5 T system. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of each necrotic or solid contrast-enhancing lesion was measured with two different b values (20 and 1200 s/mm2). All capsule-stage brain abscesses (4 lesions) and zones of cerebritis (2 lesions) were identified on high-b-value DWI as markedly high-signal areas of decreased ADC (range, 0.58-0.70 [(10-3 mm2/s; mean, 0.63)]). All cystic or necrotic portions of brain tumours (14 lesions) were identified on high-b-value DWI as low-signal areas of increased ADC (range, 2.20-3.20 [(10-3 mm2/s; mean, 2.70)]). Solid, contrast-enhancing portions of brain tumours (19 lesions) were identified on high-b-value DWI as high-signal areas of sightly decreased or increased ADC (range, 0.77-1.29 [(10-3 mm2/s; mean, 0.94)]). Our preliminary results indicate that DW echo-planar MRI be used for distinguishing between brain abscess and tumour.
Insights
Diffusion-weighted (DW) echo-planar MRI effectively differentiates brain abscesses from tumors. Abscesses show decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), while tumors exhibit increased or slightly altered ADC values.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
- Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
Background:
- Distinguishing brain abscesses from tumors is crucial for effective treatment.
- Conventional MRI sequences can sometimes be ambiguous in differentiating these lesions.
Observation:
- Diffusion-weighted echo-planar MRI was used to examine brain abscesses and tumors.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured for necrotic, cystic, and solid enhancing portions of lesions.
Findings:
- Brain abscesses (capsule-stage and cerebritis) demonstrated markedly high signal on DWI with significantly decreased ADC values.
- Cystic/necrotic tumor portions showed low signal on DWI with increased ADC values.
- Solid, enhancing tumor portions displayed high signal on DWI with slightly decreased or increased ADC values.
Implications:
- Diffusion-weighted MRI shows promise as a non-invasive tool for differentiating brain abscesses from tumors.
- ADC measurements can aid in the differential diagnosis of intracranial lesions.
- This technique may help guide clinical management and reduce the need for invasive procedures.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction