title: [Diffusion-weighted imaging can differentiate cerebral abscesses from tumours of the brain].
abstract: Early diagnosis of cerebral abscess, which is decisive for the prognosis, is often complicated by the lack of clinical signs. Conventional computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging cannot always differentiate a cystic or necrotic tumor from an abscess. An abscess is therefore sometimes misdiagnosed as e.g. a glioblastoma or metastasis. Unfortunately, this is sometimes seen at our department and could maybe have been prevented. Diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient facilitate differentiation between cerebral tumor and abscess with a sensitivity of 95.2% (76.2-99.9%) and a specificity of 95.7% (78.1-99.9%).
authors.affiliation: Hjertemedicinsk Klinik, Rigshospitalet, 2100 København Ø, Denmark. casperbang@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Casper N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obel
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Obel
mesh_terms: D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology