Table 5 Imaging features to distinguish between tubercular, pyogenic and fungal abscess

Morphology

Smooth lobulated or crenated wall

Smooth lobulated wall

Irregular wall with intracavitory projections

Diffusion

Low ADC in wall and cavity

Low ADC in wall and cavity

High ADC in cavity Low ADC in wall and projection

MRS

Lipid, lactate

Amino acid, acetate, succinate

Lipid lactate, amino acid, trehalose (3.6–3.8 ppm)

MTR

Low MTR of wall, (18–20) strong hyperintense rim on MT T1

High MTR of wall (25–30), minimal hyperintensity of wall on MT T1