Ring-enhancing lesion

Background

  • CT or MRI with lesions having an enhancing ring of contrast around a less dense center can indicate certain neurological infections, injuries, and indolent disorders
  • Immune status of patients is key in helping to narrow potential causative agents
Ring enhancing lesion on CT.png
Ring enhancing lesion on MRI.png

Clinical Features

  • Clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic to focal neurodeficits to coma

Differential Diagnosis

Ring-Enhancing Lesion

Common Mnemonic: DR MAGIC

  • Demyelination
  • Radionecrosis/hematoma
  • Metastasis
  • Abscess (consider bacterial, fungal, parasitic)
  • Glioma (and other primary neoplasms such as lymphoma)
  • Infarction
  • Contusion

HIV and ring-enhancing lesion(s)

Neoplasm

Infectious

Neurologic

Evaluation

  • Ring-enhancing lesion is a radiologic diagnosis
  • Workup must be directed towards presentation, comorbidities, and risk factors

Management

  • Focused treatment plan based on etiology

Disposition

  • Typically require admission for further work up

See Also

External Links

References