Etiologies of 3 territory diffusion-weighted lesions

No.Clinical/MR Imaging, DWI, Enhancement Features
Suspected etiology (n = 29)
    Trauma1History of trauma, imaging-associated sequelae of trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, shear pattern
    Demyelinating1Age, history of multiple sclerosis, periventricular/corpus callosum predilection
    Hypoxic-ischemic5Hypotension, deep nuclei and cortical ribbon involvement
    Metastasis3History of malignancy and/or ring or enhancing lesion
    Seizure1Seizures, deep nuclei and/or cortical ribbon enhancement
    HIV-related (n = 2)
        Toxoplasmosis1HIV, periventricular, ring, enhancing, target sign, rarely shows restricted diffusion
        Fungal abscess1HIV, ring, enhancing, numerous restricted-diffusion lesions
    Cerebral emboli (n = 10)
        Endocarditis4Fever, leukocytosis, murmur, ring, enhancing
        Air1Followed esophagogastroduodenoscopy
        Fat1Followed long bone fracture
        Atrial fibrillation2No source other than atrial fibrillation found
        Aortic atheroma1Significant arch atheroma noted
        Aortic dissection1Patient had concomitant aortic dissection
    Postoperative (n = 6)
        Aneurysm coiling1Symptoms developed postoperatively
        Cardiac surgery4Symptoms developed postoperatively
        Aortic aneurysm repair1Symptoms developed postoperatively
Not suspected (n = 10)
    Malignancy-related9Lung (n = 4), colon (n = 2), renal (n = 1), pancreas (n = 1), bladder (n = 1)
    Intravascular lymphoma1Proven by brain biopsy
Indeterminate (n = 2)
    Incomplete history1Lost to follow-up
    Multiple etiologies1Possible fat emboli vs Trousseau syndrome