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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord
Published on: April 7, 2015
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of rim-enhancing brain masses: is markedly decreased water diffusion specific for brain
G A Tung1, P Evangelista, J M Rogg
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903, USA.
Objective:
This retrospective study investigated the specificity of restricted water diffusion for the diagnosis of brain abscess. Two of five rim-enhancing brain masses with restricted water diffusion (apparent diffusion coefficient of 0.79 [10(-3) mm(2)/sec] or less) were brain abscesses, but diagnoses in the other cases were metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (two cases) and radiation necrosis.
Conclusion:
Although an important diagnostic sign, restricted water diffusion is not specific for brain abscess.
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