Cerebral computerized tomography in intracranial inflammatory disorders.

Computerized tomography was used in 35 patients with intracranial inflammatory disease. Computerized tomography was most reliable in differentiating cerebritis from an encapsulated abscess. Low-density areas with no or only patchy enhancement are consistent with the presence of cerebritis, whereas peripheral rim enhancement with a surrounding area of low density suggests an encapsulated abscess. Computerized tomography was valuable for determining the presence of hydrocephalus and extracerebral lesions and for observing the response to therapy.