An intracranial aspergilloma with low signal on T2-weighted images corresponding to iron accumulation.
We present a case of cerebral aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient. The MRI signal characteristics were compared with the histologic findings. Irregular low-signal zones were demonstrated between the wall of the abscess and the central necrosis on T2-weighted images; the pathology specimen revealed concentrated iron in these transitional zones but no hemosiderin. Iron is an essential element for the growth of fungal hyphae. The low-signal zones may represent the areas where there was active proliferation of aspergillus, and the unique location of the low signal may be a helpful imaging characteristic for the diagnosis of an aspergillus abscess.
Yamada
K
K
Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan. kyamada@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
Zoarski
G H
GH
Rothman
M I
MI
Zagardo
M T
MT
Nishimura
T
T
Sun
C C
CC
D000328:Adult; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male
D007501:Iron