Medium urgency
-Moderately severe
It is a build-up of pus in the brain, due to an infection which produces a focal inflammation.
The infections is usually produced by bacteria or fungi. The origin of the infection may be local or at a distance, infecting the brain through the blood.
The most common symptoms are changes in mental state, decreased strength, loss of strength, altered sensation, fever, chills, headache and seizures.
It is diagnosed by taking a complete medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests and CT-scan.
Treatment is antibiotic or antifungal, depending on the pathogenic agent. In selected cases, the pus may be drained by puncture and/or neurosurgery.
- Frederick S Southwick. Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of brain abscess. UpToDate. Dec 04, 2015.
- Frederick S Southwick. Treatment and prognosis of bacterial brain abscess.UpToDate. Dec 23, 2015.
- Arlotti M, Grossi P, Pea F, et al. Consensus document on controversial issues for the treatment of infections of the central nervous system: bacterial brain abscesses. Int J Infect Dis 2010; 14 Suppl 4:S79.
- Brouwer MC, Tunkel AR, McKhann GM 2nd, van de Beek D. Brain abscess. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:447.
- Elena Sánchez Maganto, Agustín Julián Jiménez. Infecciones del sistema nervioso central. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010. 697:716
- Karen L. Roos, Kenneth L. Tyler. Meningitis, encefalitis, abceso cerebral y empiema. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición. 883:906.
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright© TeckelMedical 2026
