title: [Value of "low-signal zone" sign in the diagnosis of brain abscess in the capsule period].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of "low-signal zone" sign in the diagnosis of brain abscess in the capsule period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The conventional MRI was performed pre-therapy in 21 patients with brain abscess in the capsule period and 25 patients with vesica-astrocytomas. We analyzed the pathologic basis of "low-signal zone" sign in brain abscess and compared the frequency and shape of "low-signal zone" sign in brain abscess and vesica-astrocytomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The "low-signal zone" sign in MRI occurred more frequently in brain abscess (85.7%, 18/21) than in vesica-astrocytomas (52.0%, 13/25). The "low-signal zone" sign in the former was intact, while that in the latter was not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The "low-signal zone" sign is helpful to diagnose brain abscess in the capsule period, and is valuable to differentiate brain abscess and vesica-astrocytomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China. 8921620@sina.com.cn
authors.forename: Chang-Yong
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guang-Chun
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Ang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged