Nancy A. Hammond MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Fernanda Dias Gonzalez Guindalini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Grant, Siemens AG

Paul Nikolaidis MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Frank H. Miller MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vahid Yaghmai MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

This exhibit will review the role of DWI in improving sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging for diagnosing sources of infection in the abdomen.

1) Review DWI, its strengths and weaknesses 2) Demonstrate how DWI can improve the sensitivity of searching for the source of fever/infection 3) Illustrate examples where DWI increased specificity and diagnostic confidence when searching for an intra-abdominal source of fever (and in several examples was the only sequence suggesting infection), including • Abdominal abscess • Acute pyelonephritis and pyonephrosis • Acute and chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases • Appendicitis • Diverticulitis and colitides • Cholecystitis • Pancreatitis 4) Potential pitfalls will be illustrated  

Diffusion weighted images can help in detection of the source infection in the abdomen and pelvis, improving sensitivity and specificity of MR

Hammond, N, Gonzalez Guindalini, F, Nikolaidis, P, Miller, F, Yaghmai, V, Searching for the Source of Infection: Role of Diffusion Weighted Image (DWI).  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13025150.html