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Mitotic figures of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells in the periphery of human brain abscess.

It has been unclear until now as to whether human astrocytes proliferate through mitosis or through amitosis, and little attention has been paid to the biological meaning of glial cell division. We examined an autopsy case of a 53-year-old man who died of brain abscesses and have found GFAP-positive mitotic cells in the zone between the abscess cavity and the reactive gliosis. The results suggest that human normal astrocytes which act in response to the brain abscess proliferate the process of mitosis, and become reactive to repair the lesions.

Astrocytes↗

Brain abscess following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy: report of a case.

A 33-year-old male patient with hepatitis B surface antigen positive cirrhosis, received 2 courses of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices. A Streptococcus viridans brain abscess developed 2 weeks after the first sclerotherapy (or 1 week after the second sclerotherapy). In cirrhotic patients, an increase in pulmonary vasodilatation and pulmonary arteriovenous shunting has been well recognized. Sclerosant as well as bacteria may pass through a pulmonary arteriovenous shunt and reach the brain, directly after an infection of esophageal varices. Brain ischemia and a bacterial infection may occur at the same time, this can accelerate the development of a pyogenic brain abscess. Careful observation for the early detection and treatment of infection following endoscopic sclerotherapy is essential.

Adult↗

Characteristics of brain abscess with isolation of anaerobic bacteria.

In view of its localization, brain abscess (BA) usually requires medical and surgical care. A broad spectrum of bacteria is involved. Recent reports stress the increasing frequency of anaerobes, but their impact has not been well evaluated. A retrospective review was conducted of all episodes of documented BA admitted in a tertiary-care hospital over a 10 y period. BA due to anaerobic bacteria (group A) were compared with other cases (group B) to determine the frequency and eventual characteristics of BA with isolated anaerobic bacteria. Between 1991 and 2000, BA were diagnosed in 42 patients (28M, 14F, mean age 54.6 y). No differences in clinical features and laboratory findings were found between patients with BA caused by anaerobic (n = 22) and only aerobic (n = 20) bacteria. Using appropriate microbiological techniques, 41 anaerobic bacteria strains were isolated in 22 of 42 patients (52.4%) with BA. Anaerobic bacteria were associated with aerobic strains in 5 patients (12%), whereas in 17 patients (40.5%) only anaerobic strains were isolated in cerebral puncture cultures. The most frequently isolated species were Fusobacterium nucleatum (n = 14), Prevotella sp. (n = 8), Actinomyces sp. (n = 6) and Bacteroides sp. (n = 4). Compared with group B, group A had more cases of a single abscess (p = 0.03) and ear, nose and throat (ENT) as a source of infection (p = 0.04), and seemed to have a better outcome (p = 0.07). These results emphasize the important role that anaerobic bacteria play in BA. The presence of such pathogens must be evoked when faced with a single abscess, an ENT infection, or both. Therapy should take into account this high frequency.

Adolescent↗

EEG in brain abscess: its value in localization compared to other diagnostic tests.

The EEG records of 13 cases of brain abscess were reviewed for their value in localization. Of the 11 cases of supratentorial abscesses localization was achieved in 10, and correct lateralization in the remaining 1 case. Two other cases were cerebellar abscesses; 1 of them showed a false cerebral localization; the other showed no focal abnormalities. The most consistent EEG localizing sign was focal arrhythmic delta waves. These were as slow as 0.5 c/sec in 6 of the 13 cases. Epileptiform discharges in the pre-operative EEG were seen in 4 of the 13 cases. Asymmetry of beta activity correctly lateralized the abscess in 7 of the 11 supratentorial abscesses. Generalized abnormalities when present correlated with depression of consciousness rather than with the duration of illness or the presence of raised intracranial pressure. Indium brain scans were done in 6 supratentorial abscesses and provided correct or approximate localization in 5. Carotid angiograms were also done in 7 cases and localized the abscess in 6. Our findings show that the EEG is comparable to brain scans and contrast radiological studies in localizing supratentorial abscesses. We feel that the combination of EEGs and brain scanslization in suspected brain abscess.

Adolescent↗

Brain abscess as a complication of halo traction.

The occurrence of a brain abscess as a complication of halo traction and immobilization in the management of scoliosis is reported. Previous reports suggest that this complication is rare. Unique in this case is the development of an intracerebral abscess without skull perforation by the halo device and without evidence of contiguous spread of infection. Attention of clinical signs (headache) and the use of computerized axial tomography may allow for early detection and appropriate care.

Adult↗

[Brain abscesses in neonates: neurosonographic diagnosis and long-term follow-up].

Brain abscesses were neurosongraphically diagnosed in 3 out of 44 neonates who had confirmed purulent meningitis. In two cases, the cause was Proteus mirabillis, whereas in one the cause could not be isolated. The ultrasound finding indicated abscess cavities localised in the frontal (in one case bilaterally) and temporal regions of the CNS. Neurosurgical interventions were carried out on all of the neonates who had abscesses (including the evacuation of purulent cavity contents, and later on a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in two cases, because of the development of hydrocephalus). Follow-up on the operated infants revealed that one infant died at the age of 9 months; one, who had a bilateral abscess, demonstrated significant neurodevelopmental retardation in the third month of his life (so far it has not been brought under control); while the third one, whom we monitored until the age of 2, displayed regular psychomotor development (preserved intellect, motor skills, sight, and hearing).

Brain Abscess↗

[Brain abscess--a possible complication of cerebral infarction?].

A 68-year-old man with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus suffered a stroke with hemiparesis. The ischemic infarction was demonstrated by computer assisted tomography and angiography. At the site of the original infarction a large brain abscess developed several months later and caused the patient's death. A secondary hematogenous infection of the necrotic area (in this case Staphylococcus aureus, probably from bronchiectasis) seems likely. Other cited case reports show that after cerebral necrosis of various origin the possibility of a secondary brain abscess should be considered.

Aged↗

Unilateral pruritus and Nocardia brain abscess.

We studied a patient with unilateral itching associated with Nocardia brain abscess. Pruritus without a primary cutaneous eruption often indicates an underlying medical disorder, but has rarely been described in cerebral disease such as MS or infarctions. Our patient also had sensory loss and motor findings contralateral to the cerebral lesion, suggesting that itching may have cerebral representation contiguous to other sensations.

Adult↗

Eikenella corrodens brain abscess after repeated periodontal manipulations cured with imipenem and neurosurgery.

Eikenella corrodens is a facultatively anaerobic gram-negative rod that colonizes the oral cavity and very rarely produces central nervous system (CNS) infections. Frontal lobe abscesses are occasionally associated with a dental source of infection. We report a case of an adult man with overzealous dental cleaning habits who developed a right frontal brain abscess caused by E. corrodens. He underwent neurosurgical drainage of the pus and was successfully treated with imipenem 4 g/i.v./day for 4 weeks with no complications. Repeated periodontal trauma could explain the Eikenella brain abscess in this case.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Successful treatment of a brain abscess due to Trichoderma longibrachiatum after surgical resection.

A case of brain abscess due to Trichoderma longibrachiatum in a leukemic patient with prolonged neutropenia is reported. Definitive cure was achieved after neurosurgical resection of the abscess and prolonged antifungal therapy. Trichoderma is a filamentous fungus species, which is only exceptionally pathogenic in humans. This genus and particularly the species Trichoderma longibrachiatum should be added to the growing list of fungi causing infection in immunocompromised patients.

Adolescent↗

Brain abscesses: review of 30 cases treated with surgery.

Thirty patients with brain abscesses who were treated at the Department of Neurosurgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, during the period July 1989 to July 1993, were reviewed. There were seven females and 23 males with mean follow up duration of 19 months. The predisposing factors identified were otogenic infections in 10 cases (33%), paranasal sinus infection in 2 cases (7%) and congenital heart disease in 6 cases (20%). All cases underwent aspiration or excision of the abscess. Repeat operations were carried out if the abscess reaccumulated. A total of 49 aspirations and 16 excisions were performed. Twenty-five patients (84%) made a good recovery, three patients (10%) were moderately disabled, one patient (3%) was severely disabled and one patient (3%) died. There was no postoperative haemorrhage or wound infections. Two patients (7%) developed hydrocephalus and three (10%) had seizures postoperatively.

Adolescent↗

Brain abscess in congenital cyanotic heart disease.

Sixty-two cases of brain abscess with congenital cyanotic heart disease are reviewed. A sharp peak in the age distribution was seen at 4 to 7 years of age. Of 62 cases, 38 (61.2%) had a tetralogy of Fallot, and six had a transposition of the great vessels. The majority of these abscesses were supratentorial and 76% of abscesses were found in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Multiple abscesses were present in 19.4% of cases. Sterile cultures were obtained in 61% of the abscesses, and the increasing percentage of sterile cultures seems to be the result of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. The overall mortality rate was 37% but there were no deaths after surgical excision secondary to aspiration. Since the introduction of computerized tomography, aspiration without total excision has produced good results, and therefore it is believed that the number of cases which are cured with aspiration therapy alone will gradually increase in the future.

Adolescent↗

Brain abscess in infants and children.

Forty-four consecutive patients with brain abscesses, aged between 1 month and 16 years, were reviewed. The cause of abscess was meningitis in 36% of the cases, otitis in 27%, head injury in 16%, congenital heart disease in 9%, other in 5%, and undetected in 5%. Thirty patients had a single abscess and 12 had multiple abscesses. Multiloculated abscess was present in 2. Total excision was accomplished in 22 patients. Three patients underwent needle aspiration. Drainage of the abscess was performed in 13. Secondary excision was needed in 5 patients. One patient was treated nonsurgically. Streptococci, staphylococci and Proteus mirabilis were the microorganisms recovered in cultures. Overall mortality was 20% (9 patients). Mortality was significantly higher in patients under 2 years of age than in those older. Of 15 patients who were comatose at the time of admission, 6 died. Etiology, diagnostic method, and treatment modalities were not found to be significant factors in terms of predicting mortality.

Adolescent↗

Metronidazole therapy of anaerobic bacteremia, meningitis, and brain abscess.

Four patients with Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia, one patient with a brain abscess due to Bacteroides species, Fusobacterium naviforme, and Peptostreptococcus species, and an infant with Bacteroides species ventriculitis and meningitis were treated with metronidazole. In all cases the anaerobic pathogens were eradicated. Five of the six patients recovered. One patient with leukemia in whom B fragilis bacteremia was eradicated by metronidazole treatment subsequently died of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia. Ventricular fluid and serum concentrations of metronidazole were determined in the case of meningitis and are reported.

Adult↗

[A case of cerebral putaminal hemorrhage complicating a brain abscess proved by craniotomy].

A 40-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of consciousness disturbance, dysarthria and numbness in his right hand. Computed tomography of the head showed a cerebral hemorrhage of the left putamen. The patient was judged to have an indication of operation, and frontal craniotomy to evacuate hematoma was performed. During the operation, massive whitish pus flowed out at the time of surgery. Therefore, hemorrhage into a brain abscess was diagnosed. We reported this unique and interesting case whose brain abscess could not be differentiated from an ordinary hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage based on clinical findings and CT image. This diagnosis was not made until the patient was operated on through a craniotomy.

Adult↗

[Brain abscess in congenital cyanotic heart defect in adulthood].

A 27-year-old patient with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and multifocal lung-perfusion suddenly developed headache and left facial sensory disturbances. Using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging a temporo-parietal brain abscess was diagnosed. After abscess aspiration and antibiotical therapy neurological signs disappeared immediately and the patient could leave hospital without any neurological deficit. Adult patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease are at risk to develop a brain abscess which should therefore be ruled out if headache, fever of unknown origin or focal neurologic signs occur.

Adult↗

CT-guided stereotactic aspiration of brain abscesses.

The effective treatment of intracranial abscess remains controversial. Progress in technology, linked with the development of neuronavigational systems, has made stereotactic aspiration and drainage of intracerebral abscesses effective and valid alternatives to traditional methods, namely, conservative medical treatment or open surgical excision. Between 1995 and 2002, 12 patients at our hospital underwent drainage of intracerebral abscesses under stereotactic guidance. Ten patients had solitary lesions and two had multiple abscesses. The appropriate antibiotic schemes were administered following culture of the aspirated material. The size of the abscess, the mass effect, and response to antibiotic treatment were followed up by repeated CT scans. All patients showed improvement and, at the end of treatment, returned to their previous activities. There were neither deaths nor any postoperative complication. A second aspiration was required in one patient due to recurrence of the abscess. The CT-guided stereotactic aspiration of brain abscesses helps achieve all treatment goals. It drains the contents of the abscess, reduces mass effect, and confirms diagnosis. It is minimally invasive, carries minimal morbidity and mortality, and can be performed on compromised patients under local anesthesia.

Adult↗

Salmonella enteritidis brain abscess: case report and review.

Intracranial infections are unusual manifestations of salmonellosis. Even with adequate medical and surgical interventions these infections are often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of brain abscess caused by Salmonella enteritidis associated with a brain neoplasm and review previous reports in the literature.

Brain Abscess↗