Diffusion MR imaging features of skull base osteomyelitis compared with skull base malignancy

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: SBO is a life-threatening infection that may have radiologic features similar to those of the neoplastic processes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the DWI findings in SBO to facilitate the differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR imaging findings of 9 patients with SBO were retrospectively evaluated and compared with MR imaging studies from 9 patients with NPC, 9 with lymphoma, and 9 with metastatic disease of the skull base. ADC measurements were performed from the ADCST and the ADCNST in all 4 groups. RESULTS: The mean ADCST values were 1.26 ± 0.19 × 10-3 mm2/s for SBO, 0.74 ± 0.18 × 10-3 mm2/s for NPC, 0.59 ± 0.11 × 10-3 mm2/s for lymphoma, and 0.99 ± 0.34 × 10-3 mm2/s for metastatic disease, respectively. The mean ADC value of SBO was significantly higher than those of NPC and lymphoma (P