Convenient mnemonics for the causes of cerebral ring enhancing lesions are:
MAGIC DR or DR MAGIC
DR MAGIC L
MAGICAL DR
Mnemonics
MAGIC DR or DR MAGIC
M: metastasis
A: abscess
G: glioblastoma
I: infarct (subacute phase) or inflammatory (neurocysticercosis, tuberculoma)
C: contusion
D: demyelinating disease (classically incomplete rim of enhancement)
R: radiation necrosis or resolving hematoma
DR MAGIC L or MAGICAL DR
In some institutions, "L" and "A" is added to the mnemonic for lymphoma and AIDS-related CNS disease.
D: demyelinating disease (classically incomplete rim of enhancement)
R: radiation necrosis or resolving hematoma
M: metastasis
A: abscess
G: glioblastoma
I: infarct (subacute phase) or inflammatory (neurocysticercosis, tuberculoma)
C: contusion
A: AIDS-related CNS disease (e.g. toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis)
L: lymphoma (this appearance is more common in immunocompromised)