Apparent Diffusion Coefficient with Higher b-Value Correlates Better with Viable Cell Count Quantified from the Cavity of Brain Abscess

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR 2011-12, Vol.32 (11), p.2120-2125
• Main Authors: TOMAR, V, YADAV, A, RATHORE, R. K. S, VERMA, S, AWASTHI, R, BHARADWAJ, V, OJHA, B. K, PRASAD, K. N, GUPTA, R. K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - pathology; Brain Abscess - pathology; Cell Count - methods; Cell Survival; Child; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Perception; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Statistics as Topic; Vision; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A2674

DWI by using higher b-values provides tissue diffusivity with less T2 shinethrough effect. VCD in the abscess cavity correlates with ADC values. The purpose of this study was to investigate which b-value-derived ADC correlates better with VCD. Thirty patients with brain abscess underwent conventional MR imaging and DWI with b = 1000, 2000, and 3000 s/mm(2) on a 3T MR imaging scanner. ADC values were quantified by placing regions of interest inside the abscess cavity in all sections where the lesion was apparent on coregistered ADC maps derived from different b-values. VCD was measured on pus aspirated. An increase in b-value was associated with a decrease in ADC values in normal parenchyma as well as in the abscess cavity. The most significant negative correlation of VCD was observed with b = 3000 s/mm(2) (r = -0.98, P = .01). VCD in the abscess cavity can be best assessed at b = 3000 s/mm(2) secondary to the reduction in the T2 shinethrough effect. DWI with b = 3000 s/mm(2) is of promising value in the assessment of the therapeutic response of brain abscess.