Brain Abscess
Brain Abscess
Despite major advances in antimicrobial therapy, imaging technology, and neurosurgical techniques, brain abscesses are an ongoing treatment issue. A male preponderance has been found in most series. In fact, brain abscesses are reported to account for 8% of all intracranial mass lesions in Third-World countries. Bacterial pathogens gain access to the central nervous system through a variety of pathways including direct extension, iatrogenic causes (neurosurgical or otorhinolaryngologic surgery), traumatic injury, and by hematogenous dissemination. Approximately 80% of patients with brain abscesses have an identifiable predisposing factor (surgery, sinusitis, traumatic injury, mastoiditis). It has been long recognized that patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), most commonly tetralogy of Fallot, are at increased risk of developing brain abscesses.
Presentations
- Headache
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Mental changes
- Coma
- Focal neurological deficits
- Papilledema
- Meningeal signs
- Hemiparesis
- Cranial nerve palsy
- Ataxia