Brain Abscess
What is it?
A brain abscess is an accumulation of pus (due to infection) inside the brain. These abscesses produce symptoms by raising pressure inside the rigid skull or by destroying or irritating surrounding brain tissue. Brain abscesses are most common in the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum—the portion of the brain that controls higher functions, including speech and thinking.
Prompt medical treatment usually ensures full recovery; however, approximately 10 percent of cases are fatal, while others result in some permanent neurological disorder such as epilepsy. Brain abscesses are becoming increasingly rare due to the widespread use of antibiotics to treat underlying infections before they can cause such complications.
What Causes It?
- Blood-borne infections may spread to the brain and result in an abscess or multiple abscesses. Patients with bacterial endocarditis (an infection of a heart valve) or immune deficiencies (such as AIDS) are prone to brain abscesses from infectious organisms carried in the blood.
- Brain abscesses may also result from the spread of an infection, such as a severe sinus infection, from another (typically adjacent) part of the body to the brain.
- A head wound that penetrates the skull can lead to brain infection and thus an abscess.
Prevention
- Receive prompt medical treatment for any infections elsewhere in the body—especially those occurring in the middle ear or the sinuses.
- Wear protective headgear when engaging in any activity where risk of head injury is possible.
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis is strongly suspected from CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scans.
- A culture of organisms taken from the pus confirms the diagnosis and is required to select appropriate antibiotic treatment.
How to Treat It
- Large doses of antibiotics are given to attack the underlying infection.
- Some type of surgical procedure is often necessary as well. Frequently, a hole is drilled into the skull so that the abscess can be drained or completely removed. This procedure also allows doctors to identify the precise underlying organism in order to determine the appropriate antibiotic treatment. After such surgery, antibiotics will usually be prescribed for one or two months.
- Anticonvulsant drugs may be prescribed if the abscess has caused epileptic seizures.
When to Call a Doctor
- EMERGENCY See a doctor immediately if you have any signs of serious infection or symptoms such as speech difficulty, seizures, or partial paralysis.
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Copyright © 2008 Medletter Associates, LLC
Content excerpted from Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference.