Enhancing cerebral infarction simulating arteriovenous malformation on computed tomography

In this report three cases are presented in which the enhancing region of infarction was not the typical gyral pattern seen on CT and was misinterpreted as the vascular enhancement of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The clinical presentation of the patients, the time of the scan in relation to symptoms, the appearance on plain CT, and the distribution and shape of the abnormal enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT are described. Appropriate technique and window settings are important in avoiding misdiagnosis. Correct differentiation of a cerebral infarction from an AVM may obviate cerebral angiography.