title: Magnetic resonance features of pyogenic brain abscesses and differential diagnosis using morphological and functional imaging studies: a pictorial essay.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to illustrate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment planning and evaluation of therapy effectiveness of pyogenic brain abscesses, through the use of morphological (or conventional) and functional (or advanced) sequences. Conventional MRI study is useful for the identification of lesions, to determine the location and morphology and allows a correct hypothesis of nature in the most typical cases. However, the differential diagnosis from other brain lesions, such as non-pyogenic abscesses or necrotic tumors (high-grade gliomas and metastases) is often only possible through the use of functional sequences, as the measurement of diffusion with apparent diffusion coefficient (DWI-ADC), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) and perfusion weighted imaging (PWI), which complement the morphological sequences and provide essential information on structural, metabolic and hemodynamic characteristics allowing greater neuroradiological confidence. Modern diagnostic MRI of pyogenic brain abscesses cannot be separated from knowledge, integration and proper use of the morphological and functional sequences.
authors: Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Neuroscience, Hospital "Gaetano Rummo", Benevento, Italy.
authors: Carmine Franco
authors: CF
authors: Muccio
authors: Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors: Ferdinando
authors: F
authors: Caranci
authors: Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy. Electronic address: darcofel@gmail.com.
authors: Felice
authors: F
authors: D'Arco
authors: Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Neuroscience, University "Santa Maria alle Scotte", Siena, Italy.
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Cerase
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital "Fatebenefratelli", Benevento, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: De Lipsis
authors: Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Neuroscience, Hospital "Gaetano Rummo", Benevento, Italy.
authors: Gennaro
authors: G
authors: Esposito
authors: Unit of Neuroradiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Tedeschi
authors: Unit of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Anthea Hospital, Bari, Italy.
authors: Cosma
authors: C
authors: Andreula
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cerebral abscesses; DWI; MR-spectroscopy; Magnetic resonance; PWI; Pyogenic abscesses