Application Of MR Diffusion-weighted Imaging In Diagnosis And Differential Diagnosis For Brain Abscess

objective: To determined whether diffusion-weigh-ted imaging (DWI) can be used to distinguish brain abscess from cystic or necrotic intracranial tumors and discuss its value. Methods:Signal intensity on DWI of 14 patients with brain abscess and 17 with cystic or necrotic intracranial tumors was analyzed . The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) of the lesion and the ratio of thelesion ADC to control region (rADC) was calculated and compared.Results: Increased signal was seen in all of the pyogenic abscess cavities to variable degrees on DWI. ADC maps showed low signalintensity in the 12 case. The mean ADC and rADC was (0.62 0.29) 10-3mm2/s and 0.77 0.36 respectively . Decreased signal wasseen in 15 case of cystic or necrotic tumors on DWI and 16 had high signal intensity in their cystic or necrotic area on ADC maps. The mean ADC was (2.37 0.70) 10-3mm2/s and rADC 3.24 1.08.Conclusions: DWI and ADC can reflect the different fluid properties of abscess and cystic or necrotic tumors very effectively, and have great value in the diagnosis and differentiation of brain abscess.