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[Brain abscesses in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)--comparison to cystic brain tumors]
R Tomczak1, A Wunderlich, J Görich
1Zentrum für diagnostische und interventionelle Radiologie, SLK-Kliniken, Bad Friedrichshall. reinhard.tomczak@t-online.de
Purpose:
The clinical usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was evaluated in patients with brain abscesses in comparison to patients with cystic brain tumors.
Material And Methods:
Five patients with surgically confirmed brain abscesses underwent beside a brain MRI examination with contrast media application diffusion weighted imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficients (rADC) in three orthogonal diffusion gradient were calculated. The same protocol was used to examine 5 patients with cystic brain tumors.
Results:
Showing an rADC of 0.33 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s abscesses have a highly restricted diffusion in comparison to cystic brain tumors with an rADC of 1,67 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s.
Conclusion:
Diffusion weighted imaging is a usefull diagnostic tool in the work up of brain abscesses.