Demonstrating Edema in an Abscess

The basal ganglia in the region of the caudate nucleus and globus pallidus are shown in axial projection in this 60 year old female who presents with neurological deficit and a fever. In the first image the focal ill defined mass with mild mass effect is shown in axial projection on a T1 weighted image without contrast (a). The second image with gadolinium shows rim enhancement with mass effect and obstruction of the frontal horn as seen by asymmetric dilatation (b). The third T2 weighted image (c) shows the fluid nature of the cavity and the surrounding edema, mass effect, and accumulation of fluid in the dependant portion of the occipital horn. The fourth image is a FLAIR image and also shows th extent of the edema in the brain The patient had a fever and the constellation of findings were consistent with an abscess of the basal ganglia on the left. In this diagram the relationship of the basal ganglia to the ventricles is demonstrated.

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Copyright 2010 All rights reserved 89054c.8s