INTEGRATING MRI AND CT IMAGING WITH MICROBIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS IN THE EARLY DETECTION OF BRAIN ABSCESSES
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Keywords
brain abscess, MRI, CT imaging, microbiological diagnostics, early detection
Abstract
Brain abscesses are critical intracranial infections that demand rapid and accurate diagnosis to prevent neurological deterioration and mortality. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are central to identifying structural abnormalities and guiding early clinical suspicion, they often lack specificity in distinguishing abscesses from necrotic tumors or other ring-enhancing lesions. Microbiological testing, on the other hand, provides definitive etiological insight but is limited by delayed sample processing and potential false negatives in pre-treated patients. This study investigates the diagnostic value of a combined approach using MRI, CT imaging, and microbiological diagnostics in early-stage brain abscess detection. A prospective cohort of patients with suspected brain abscess underwent imaging protocols including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and contrast-enhanced CT, followed by microbiological testing such as Gram staining, culture, and PCR analysis. The integrated approach significantly improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity compared to any single modality. MRI features such as the “dual rim sign” and restricted diffusion patterns showed a strong correlation with culture-confirmed pyogenic abscesses. Integration of imaging and microbiological data reduced diagnostic delay and enabled timely, pathogen-targeted therapeutic decisions. These findings highlight the clinical relevance of a multimodal diagnostic pathway and advocate for its incorporation into routine neuroinfectious disease management protocols.
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Dr. Ashish Chaturvedi
Associate professor, Dept of Radiology, Varun Arjun Medical College and Rohilkhand Hospital, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh-242307, India.
Dr. Shweta Jaiswal
Associate professor, Dept of Microbiology, Autonomous State Medical College, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh-242226, India.
Dr Kuldeep Kumar
Assistant professor, Dept of Radiology, Varun Arjun Medical College and Rohilkhand Hospital, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh-242307, India.