Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord
10:46

Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord

Published on: April 7, 2015

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in intracranial infections

C C Lim1, W Lee, S M Chng

  • 1Department of Neuroradiology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. tchoyoson_lim@notes.ttsh.gov.sg

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|September 13, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWMRI) aids in diagnosing intracranial infections by showing distinct lesion appearances. This technique enhances lesion visibility, proving valuable for assessing central nervous system infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (DWMRI) is a valuable tool for assessing acute cerebral infarction.
  • Its utility extends to other central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including intracranial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the DWMRI appearance of various intracranial infections.
  • To evaluate DWMRI's effectiveness in lesion conspicuity and assessment of CNS infections.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewed 30 patients with clinically diagnosed CNS infections.
  • All patients underwent conventional contrast-enhanced MR and DWMRI (b = 1000 s/mm2) using single-shot echo-planar imaging.

Main Results:

  • Intracranial infections like abscesses and tuberculomas appeared hyperintense on DWMRI.
  • Neurocysticercosis lesions were hypointense, while encephalitis and toxoplasmosis showed variable DWMRI signal intensities.
  • Meningitis without parenchymal involvement was not detected by DWMRI, though one case of tuberculous meningitis showed infarction.

Conclusions:

  • DWMRI enhances lesion conspicuity in cerebral infections.
  • Distinct DWMRI appearances were observed for different infectious organisms and diseases, aiding in diagnosis.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging09:04

In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: June 8, 2017

Advanced Diffusion Imaging in The Hippocampus of Rats with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury10:33

Advanced Diffusion Imaging in The Hippocampus of Rats with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: August 14, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:24

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...