Diagnostic value of MR spectroscopy and Diffusion Weighted MRI in discrimination between brain abscesses, necrotic brain tumors and cystic intracranial lesions

Abstract

Brain abscesses and brain tumors may have similar clinical presentations. Also, the differential diagnosis of brain abscesses versus cystic or necrotic tumors may be difficult based on computed tomography or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings. However, the strategies of management for abscess and neoplasm are very different, and it is especially imperative to have a correct diagnosis before any surgical intervention of cystic brain lesions. The MR special techniques, e.g. diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS), are useful as additional diagnostic