Value of the ring-enhancing sign in differentiating intracerebral hematomas and brain abscesses.
Computerized tomography (CT) is a sensitive method for detecting intracerebral pathology. Ring enhancement on contrast CT scan is a classic finding for intracerebral abscesses. Two cases are described in which clinical and physical findings were not suggestive of brain abscess; however, CT scan disclosed ring-enhancing lesions. Both patients were found to have vascular abnormalities without evidence of infection. The diagnostic dilemmas and specificity of ring enhancement on contrast CT scan are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed