[Brain abscesses in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)--comparison to cystic brain tumors].
OBJECTIVE
The clinical usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was evaluated in patients with brain abscesses in comparison to patients with cystic brain tumors.


METHODS
Five patients with surgically confirmed brain abscesses underwent beside a brain MRI examination with contrast media application diffusion weighted imaging. Apparent diffusion coefficients (rADC) in three orthogonal diffusion gradient were calculated. The same protocol was used to examine 5 patients with cystic brain tumors.


RESULTS
Showing an rADC of 0.33 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s abscesses have a highly restricted diffusion in comparison to cystic brain tumors with an rADC of 1,67 x 10(-3)/mm(2)/s.


CONCLUSIONS
Diffusion weighted imaging is a usefull diagnostic tool in the work up of brain abscesses.
D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000175:diagnosis*