AJDRAJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Rana, S.
Right arrow Articles by Yousem, D. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Rana, S.
Right arrow Articles by Yousem, D. M.

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps in a Case of Intracerebral Abscess with Ventricular Extension

Shadab Ranaa, Sait Albayrama, Doris D.M. Lina and David M. Yousema

a From the Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD



View larger version (112K):

[in a new window]
  		FIG 1. Axial conventional MR images.

A, Fast spin-echo T2-weighted axial image (4000/108/2 [TR/TE/excitations]) shows a 3 x 4 x 5-cm hyperintense abscess collection (asterisk) with peripheral hypointensity and surrounding vasogenic edema. Pus-CSF level in the dependent portion of the atrium of the right lateral ventricle is shown (arrow).

B, Contrast-enhanced spin-echo T1-weighted image (550/20/1) shows a mutilocular, cystic, ring-enhancing abscess cavity (asterisk). Rim enhancement along the left lateral ventricular wall (arrows) is consistent with ependymitis.



View larger version (159K):

[in a new window]
  		FIG 2. Axial diffusion-weighted MR images and ADC maps.

A, Isotropic diffusion-weighted image (9983/115/1, b = 1 and 1000 s/mm2) obtained at the level of the lateral ventricles reveals strong hyperintensity within the abscess cavity (asterisk), which is consistent with restricted water diffusion. Intraventricular pus (p) and ventricular walls (arrows) also show high signal intensity similar to that of the abscess cavity.

B, At the same level as the image in A, this ADC map shows hypointensity, consistent with restricted water diffusion, within the abscess cavity (asterisk). Note that the intraventricular pus (p) and ventricular walls (arrowheads) are also hypointense, a finding compatible with restricted diffusion, but they are not as dark as the abscess cavity.

C, Obtained at the level of the atrium, this diffusion-weighted image (9983/115/1; b = 1 and 1000 s/mm2) shows a fluid-pus level in the atrium of the right lateral ventricle (arrow). Diluted pus is uniformly hyperintense and is as bright as the abscess cavity (asterisk).

D, At the same level as the image in C, this ADC map depicts hypointense diluted intraventricular pus (arrow) that is intermediate in brightness compared with that of the CSF (bright) and that of the abscess cavity (dark) (asterisk).





Copyright © 2009 by the American Society of Neuroradiology. Print ISSN: 0195-6108 Online ISSN: 1936-959X