Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Brain Abscess”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Brain abscesses after extracranial infections of the head and neck area].

The authors report on 20 immunocompetent patients with brain abscess after 12 cases of middle ear, seven tooth and a single frontal sinus infection. The clinical aspects, hematochemical and microbiological data, the role of imaging diagnostics (CT, MR) and the type of treatment are analysed. Neurosurgery was performed on 17 patients (85%), eight of whom subsequently underwent evacuation of the primary source of infection (four mastoidectomies, two timpanoplasties, two tooth extractions). Mastoidectomy was eventually carried out on one of the three patients who did not undergo neurosurgery. Microbiological diagnosis was possible in nine patients through culture examination: Proteus mirabilis in three cases, Peptostreptococcus sp. in two, Micrococcus varians, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus viridans not typed in single cases. The pus was sterile in eight patients (47.1% of those operated). An association of two antimicrobial agents was used in 18 patients, while in two cases monotherapy was preferred, based on the isolated bacteria. Treatment lasted on average 38 days. The most frequently used therapy regimen (75%) was the association of a beta-lactam drug with chloramphenicol or metronidazole. Therapy was successful in 19/20 patients; one patient died. There was no significant difference in prognostic terms with regard to sex, age, duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis, clinical picture at onset, number and size of abscesses or type of treatment. Recognising the first clinical signs and symptoms (headache, fever, alterations in consciousness, focal neurological deficit, epileptic seizures) is extremely important for prompt diagnosis of brain abscess.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Diagnostic difficulties in computed tomography of brain abscesses.

In a series of 26 patients with the final diagnosis of brain abscess, 24 initially presented with ring lesions on computed tomography (CT) and two with homogeneous areas of increased attenuation after intravenous contrast medium administration. Twelve had a finding, reported to be characteristic, with a center of low attenuation encircled by a smooth, thin contrast enhancing ring surrounded by marked edema. In 10 patients, the true nature of the lesion was not evident from the first CT examination. An atypical appearance with a thick walled irregular ring or areas with homogeneous increased attenuation indicated malignant tumor. Rapidly progressing changes of the CT appearance and/or supplementary clinical data permitted us to reach the exact diagnosis in most of these. Repeat studies were also valuable in the follow-up during and after conservative (antibiotic) or surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

A quadriplegic child with multiple brain abscesses: case report of neurobrucellosis.

BACKGROUND: This report presents a child with spinal cord lesion with concomitant multiple brain abscesses caused by brucellosis. CASE REPORT: A 12-year-old boy was admitted with quadriplegia accompanied by back pain, headache, nausea, and incontinence which appeared six months before. MRI revealed multiple brain abscesses as well as spinal intramedullary lesions. The diagnosis of brucellosis was established by positive serum Wright test (1:2560) and 2-mercaptoethanol agglutination titer (1:2560), history of exposure, and gradual improvement in response to treatment (rifampin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, and prednisolone). CONCLUSIONS: Neurobrucellosis may present with uncommon manifestations in children. Physicians should consider this in the differential diagnosis of a child with quadriplegia.

Brain Abscess↗
PubMed1997

Technetium-99m HMPAO labeled leukocytes as the primary diagnostic tool in a case of brain abscess.

The authors present a case in which Tc-99m HMPAO labeled autologous leukocytes were used to demonstrate a brain abscess in a patient undergoing evaluation for fever of unknown origin. The abscess was demonstrated on both 1-hour and 24-hour images. The positive 1-hour image led to CT and MRI studies, which are included for correlation. In addition to its previously identified role as a secondary diagnostic test in the differentiation of tumor and abscess, the authors propose that Tc-99m HMPAO is useful as a primary diagnostic tool in the identification of brain abscess. Furthermore, the authors suggest that Tc-99m HMPAO is preferable to In-111 labeled leukocytes because of its better resolution and earlier imaging characteristics.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Hemorrhage into the brain abscess cavity with Fallot's tetralogy.

Hemorrhage into the abscess cavity is a complication of brain abscess. It has been reported to be due to inflammation which results in the damage of the fragile neovasculature of the abscess wall. Hypoxia caused by Fallot's tetralogy or other congenital heart diseases facilitates the damage of these vessels with the lacking supportive tissues, and in turn intracavital bleeding.

Brain Abscess↗
PubMed1979

[Differential-diagnostic problems with the brain abscess in axial computerized tomography (author's transl)].

On the base of three autoptically controlled cases with ring-shaped findings in the CT the problem of the differential diagnosis of the brain abscess in axial computerized tomography is discussed. A brain abscess must especially be taken into account when the hyperdense anulus already occurs without enhancement by contrast media. The ring-shaped finding is then caused by the high amount of collagen fibres within the abscess membrane, which has no comparable correlate in other focal processes of the brain.

Autopsy↗
PubMed2004

Capnocytophaga spp. brain abscess in an immunocompetent host: problems in antimicrobial chemotherapy and literature review.

The fourth case report of a brain abscess due to the fastidious Gram-negative organism Capnocytophaga spp. is described and discussed on the grounds of clinical, microbiological, and therapeutic evidence. A probable origin from a cat bite and/or an underlying severe mandibulary granuloma is suspected. Due to lack of clinical and neuroradiological response to neurosurgery and a combination of imipenem-amikacin-clindamycin-fluconazole, second-line empiric llnezolid treatment proved rapidly successful, in the absence of further microbial isolations. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing is often unpredictable for Capnocytophaga spp., and agents usually active on Gram-positive organisms may also be effective, both in vitro and in vivo. Due to its favorable brain penetration and its dual mode of administration, linezolid may be an alternative option for patients with multiple risk factors, brain abscess of suspected polymicrobial origin, and lack of response to empiric or culture-driven therapeutic attempts.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Paradoxical enlargement of tuberculous brain abscess during drug treatment: a case report.

This is a case report of a patient suffering from tuberculous (TB) brain abscesses. Despite supervised and appropriate anti-TB chemotherapy, the size of the abscesses paradoxically increased, accompanied by clinical deterioration at 1 month. A second aspiration was performed which yielded a large amount of viable tubercle bacilli. The same drug regimen was continued. This was followed by complete resolution of the lesions in 12 months. Hence TB brain abscess which remains culture and smear positive after four weeks treatment may not represent treatment failure.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1993

CT-guided stereotactic aspiration and treatment of brain abscesses. An experience with 24 cases.

The present study reports our experience with stereotactic puncture, aspiration and drainage of brain abscesses in 24 patients from a series of 34 consecutive cases. In all patients an intracavitary catheter was left in place for external drainage and daily irrigation with antibiotics. The patients received pre- and postoperatively triple broad spectrum antibiotic treatment, associated with low dose steroids and anti-epileptic drugs. Follow-up CT scans showed immediate reduction of the abscess size and gradual diameter diminution of the enhancing ring structure until its disappearance. The clinical presentation, risk factors, aetiology, outcome, bacteriological and CT findings were analysed. Mortality in this series was 4%. The majority of patients (96%) had no or minimal disability according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Our results confirm the value of this treatment policy and suggest that the stereotactic technique is a simple and safe method with minimal mortality and morbidity in the treatment of the majority of chronic brain abscesses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Brain abscess due to Nocardia.

Cerebral Nocardiosis is a rare disease, usually occurring in immunocompromised hosts. We report here two cases of brain abscess due to Nocardia species-one due to usual N. asteroides and other by uncommon N. caviae. N. asteroides affected the brain in a post renal transplant patient, whereas N. caviae caused infection of brain in an apparently healthy individual. To the best of our knowledge, all the previous cases of brain abscess due to Nocardia caviae have been reported in compromised hosts. Agar dilution antimicrobial testing showed relatively higher resistant pattern in N. asteroides. In spite of antimicrobial therapy, both the patients succumbed, one within 4 days and other after an initial improvement for four weeks due to drainage of abscess.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Brain abscess from chronic odontogenic cause: report of case.

A case of a chronic odontogenic abscess that probably precipitated a frontopatrietal brain abscess by hematogenous spread has been presented. A thorough examination of the patient showed no other source of infection. Peptostreptococcus sp was found as the common pathogen despite 6 days of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. This case emphasizes the important role of dentistry in medical diagnosis and treatment implemented in the hospital setting.

Brain Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Brain abscess as the first clinical manifestation of multiple pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber disease).

In this report we described a case of a cerebral abscess that developed in presence of asymptomatic pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in a 53-year-old woman with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). The brain abscess was aspirated with good clinical result and the arteriovenous fistulae qualified for transcatheter embolotherapy. Each patient suspected to suffer from HHT should be diagnosed for the presence of visceral vascular malformations. Most of them are found in the lungs, liver and brain. Early diagnosis and treatment of PAVM prevent the occurrence of severe neurological complications such as brain stroke or brain abscess. Cases of a cerebral abscess in adults of unexplained etiology should raise the suspicion of an asymptomatic PAVM.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗