CT and MRI features of an abscess

What is an abscess, and what are its CT and MRI features?

An abscess is a loculated collection of pus.

On CT and MRI, an abscess appears as a complex loculated fluid collection that may contain debris, complex fluid, or hemorrhage with increased attenuation and T1-weighted signal intensity, sometimes with internal septations or very low attenuation/signal intensity gas bubbles. An abscess often has a thick enhancing rim of fibrous tissue peripherally ( Figure 32-1 ). When an abscess arises within a parenchymal organ, multiple small adjacent abscesses (i.e., “satellite lesions”) are also commonly encountered.

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