Diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient maps in a case of intracerebral abscess with ventricular extension.

Previous findings have demonstrated the diagnostic usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging in depicting specific features of a brain abscess. We report a case of a cerebral abscess, which ruptured into the ventricular system, including its findings on both diffusion-weighted images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Purulent material within the left lateral ventricle, similar to that of the central abscess cavity, was strongly hyperintense on diffusion-weighted images. However, variable signal intensity changes were observed on the ADC map; these probably corresponded to regional variation of the concentration of protein in the purulent material. In this case, both diffusion-weighted images and ADC maps were important and complementary in the evaluation of ventricular extension of an intracerebral abscess.