This case illustrates the typical clinical presentation of brain abscess and the MRI findings.

"The appearance of a brain abscess as a rim-enhancing mass is non-specific and may be mimicked by metastasis, glioblastoma and resolving hematoma. A thick, irregular rind of enhancement is more suggestive of tumor. Abscesses are more likely to show small satellite lesions. Despite initial hopes that restricted diffusion would reliably distinguish abscess from tumor, reduced ADC has been subsequently reported in metastases and
glioblastomas."

Remember that a cystic lesion that markedly restricts centrally (the fluid component) on DWI should be considered an abscess until proven otherwise. Upon surgical intervention, brain abscess was confirmed.

Please note that the usual and the more common pattern of enhancement found in brain abscesses is that of a smooth thin rim rather than a lobulated border as in this patient.