MRI of brain abscesses

MR studies of 10 patients with brain abscesses were reviewed. MR images were obtained with 0.5 T MR unit. The signal intensity of the abscess rim tends to indicate mild T1 and T2 shortening, but it was not so apparent as reported in the cases of 1.5 T unit. Abscess rim was always smooth, thin and often lobulated. Daughter abscesses were often noted around the main abscess. We concluded that in the diagnosis of brain abscesses with 0.5 T MR unit we should rather relay on the morphological characteristics of the rims than the signal intensity of them. (author)