Balakrishna P. Shetty MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sundeep S Ballal MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Suresh V Reddy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

In tropical countries the most common granulomatous cerebral lesions are due to Neurocysticercosis and Tuberculoma. It is difficult to differentiate these two by routine MR imaging sequences. Purpose of the study to differentiate these two by diffusion weighted images.

Multiplanar T1, T2, Flair, Diffusion Weighted Images, ADC maps and Spectroscopy were obtained in 64 patients with cerebral granulomas, using 1.5 GE echospeed MR equipment. Diffusion Hyperintensity within and around the lesion are studied. ADC maps are obtained.

The vesicular stage of the Cysticercosal cyst shows restricted diffusion due to colloid nature of the cystic fluid. In Tuberculoma the central lesion, which contains caseation, does not show any restriction of diffusion. However the perilesional area just adjacent to the wall of the lesion shows restricted diffusion. This could be due to inflammatory infiltration and restricted diffusion similar to lesions such as Bacterial cerebral abscesses. Hence central diffusion restriction is seen in Neurocysticercosis and peripheral diffusion restriction is seen in Neuro Tuberculoma.

Central diffusion restriction is seen in vesicular stage of Neurocysticercosis and Peripheral diffusion restriction is noted in Neurotuberculoma.

Shetty, B, Ballal, S, Reddy, S, Diffusion-weighted Images to Differentiate Neurocysticercosis and Tuberculomas.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4418443.html