Brain Abscess

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Brain abscess (or cerebral abscess) is caused by inflammation and collection of infected material within the brain tissue. Brain abscess is usually associated with congenital heart disease in young children.

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Causes

A brain abscess is most likely to result from a bacterial or fungal infection in some part of the brain. Parasites can also cause an abscess.

Bacterial-

The predominant organisms include: Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic and anaerobic streptococci .Other organisms include: Haemophillus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumonia.

Other organisms as Fungi and parasites may also cause the disease. Fungi and parasites are especially associated with immunocompromised patients.

Sign and Symptoms-

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The  triad of fever, headache and focal neurologic findings are highly suggestive of brain abscess. These symptoms are caused by a combination of increased intracranial pressuredue to a space-occupying lesion (headache, vomiting, confusion, coma), infection (fever, fatigue etc.) and focal neurologic brain tissue damage (hemiparesis, aphasia etc.).

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Diagnosis-

The diagnosis is established by a computed tomography (CT) (with contrast) examination.

Ring-enhancing lesion appearance is seen on CT examination with contrast.

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Treatment-

The treatment includes lowering the increased intracranial pressure and starting intravenous antibiotics. Surgical drainage of the abscess remains part of the standard management of bacterial brain abscesses.

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