Acute infarct of the corpus callosum: appearance on diffusion-weighted MR imaging and MR spectroscopy

Few reports of corpus callosum infarction are published in the radiologic literature. We present a case of an atypical infarction of the corpus callosum and adjacent gyri involving both anterior cerebral artery territories. Standard magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed including diffusion weighted imaging. In addition, perfusion-weighted imaging and MR spectroscopy were employed to further characterize the patient's corpus callosal lesion. On MR imaging and spectroscopic examination, the lesion demonstrated T2 hyper-intensity, restricted diffusion, and the metabolite lactate. While the MR imaging appearance of this bilateral infarction has some characteristics that mimic tumor, employment of the full range of MR techniques can obviate the need for biopsy in acute infarcts of the corpus callosum.