Diffusion-weighted MRI of cerebral Toxoplasma abscess

OBJECTIVE. This retrospective study reports the diffusion-weighted MRI appearance of Toxoplasma abscesses, rim-enhancing cerebral masses resulting from toxoplasmosis infection. In all patients, the signal intensity of the abscess core on diffusion-weighted MRI was equal to or less than that of normal, unaffected cerebral white matter and the measured apparent diffusion coefficient was greater than that of unaffected white matter. Histopathology revealed necrotic tissue in the center of these abscesses but no purulent fluid. CONCLUSION. Unlike pyogenic abscesses, the core tissue of rim-enhancing Toxoplasma abscesses shows no restriction of water diffusion.