Conventional and advanced MRI features useful for differentiating between nCET and edema
| nCET | Edema |
|---|---|
| Conventional MRI features | |
| Gray matter involvement | Spares the gray matter |
| Eccentric | Relatively concentric around enhancing lesions |
| Relatively mild FLAIR and T2 hyperintensity | More marked FLAIR and T2 hyperintensity |
| Focal parenchymal expansion | More diffuse mass effect if marked edema |
| Advanced MRI sequences | |
| Relative diffusion restriction | Facilitated diffusion |
| Choline elevation, NAA depletion | Normal MRS findings |
| Elevated rCBV around CET | rCBV elevation confined to CET |
Note:—rCBV indicates relative cerebral blood volume.