Highlights & Basics
- Brain abscess is a potentially life-threatening condition, with clinical and radiologic presentation similar to central nervous system tumor. Early recognition is required for optimal outcome.
- Lesions may be single or multifocal. Etiologic agents may be bacterial, fungal, and parasitic.
- Treatments include appropriate antimicrobial agents, support in an intensive care unit, and possible surgical evacuation. Surgery involves either image-guided aspiration or craniotomy with resection of the abscess cavity.
- Patients must be followed up with serial imaging until their lesions have completely resolved.
- Prognosis is most closely related to the patient's neurologic status at presentation.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
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Citations
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American College of Radiology. ACR-ASNR-SPR practice parameter for the performance and interpretation of magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the central nervous system. 2019 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Infection in Neurosurgery Working Party of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. The rational use of antibiotics in the treatment of brain abscess. Br J Neurosurg. 2000 Dec;14(6):525-30.[Abstract]
Mampalam TJ, Rosenblum ML. Trends in the management of bacterial brain abscesses: a review of 102 cases over 17 years. Neurosurgery. 1988 Oct;23(4):451-8.[Abstract]
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