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Cerebral Abscess: Imaging Features

Cavity: Normally slightly hyperintense to CSF T1.

Collagen capsule: T1 iso-hyper and T2 hypo.

Enhancing rim usually thin <5mm, and smooth.

Prominent T2 edema.

Cerebral Abscess : Imaging Features

Abscesses usually restricted on DWI.

Differential Diagnosis: Ring-enhancing Lesion

Primary brain tumor

Metastases

Cerebral infarction

Resolving hematoma

Thrombosed aneurysm

Tumefactive MS

Sources of Intracranial Infection

Local

Sinusitis

Streptococcus/staphylococcus/ bacteriodes.

Otitis/mastoiditis

Bacteroides/ streptococcus/ enterobacter.

Trauma

Sources of Intracranial Infection

Blood borne

Suppurative lung infection, pulmonary AVM.

Immune deficient.

IV drug abusers.