Discrimination of Brain Abscess and Necrotic Brain Tumor with Proton MR Spectroscopy and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of MR spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted imaging in discriminating
between cystic or necrotic tumors and pyogenic brain abscesses.
Study Design: A retrospective study design.
Place and Duration of Study: The Study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Nishtar Hospital Multan and General Hospital Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2022 to January 2023.
Methods: A total ten patients were included in the study. Of 10 patients, 5 had pyogenic abscesses, and 5 had
tumors. Tumors were metastases (2 patients), glioblastomas (2 patients), and anaplastic astrocytoma (1
patient). Proton MR spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted imaging were performed in all patients.
Results: Results showed that significant resonance lines (creatine/phosphocreatine, N-acetyl aspartate, and
choline) observed in normal brain parenchyma were missing in abscesses or necrosis. MR spectroscopy of
abscess showed multiple resonance peaks. Diffusion-weighted images showed that all pyogenic abscesses had
lower ADC values and were hyperintense compared to normal brains.
Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted imaging is more accurate and less time consuming method for discrimination
of brain lesions compared to MR spectroscopy.

How to cite this: Saqib HA, Asghar A, Firdous A, Zahra M, Islam Z, Mushtaq S. Discrimination of Brain Abscess and Necrotic Brain Tumor with Proton MR Spectroscopy and Diffusion Weighted Imaging. Life and Science. 2023; 4(4): 432-437. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.431