Multiple Brain Abscesses Secondary to Odontogenic Infection: A Clinical Case Report

Introduction Cerebral abscess is a suppurative infection of the cerebral parenchyma, which may occur due to contiguity, hematogenous dissemination of distant foci, secondary to open traumatic brain injuries, or be idiopathic. Clinical Case A 63-year-old male patient sought assistance due to a severe headache in the frontal region associated with chills and lack of appetite that started four days before. Clinical examination of the patient showed no significant changes. Imaging and laboratory tests on admission showed only nonspecific changes, such as leukocytes 18,540, platelets 517,000, and c-reactive protein 2,0. In such case,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull was performed with contrast, showing the presence of expansive lesions compatible with multiple brain abscesses in the right parietooccipital region. Discussion After excluding the main focus of hematogenous dissemination and in view of the identification of the agent Streptococcus intermedius by means of secretion culture collected through a surgical method, the hypothesis of abscess due to contiguous dental pyogenic foci was pointed out. Conclusion Dental evaluation showed multiple foci of infection with periodontitis and dental abscess, which were treated along with the use of antibiotics directed to the etiologic agent.

Absceso cerebral en niños: experiencia en diez años en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad / Brain abscess in children: ten years of experience in a third level pediatric hospital

El absceso cerebral es una infección focal, que se presenta con una frecuencia de 0,3-1,3 casos cada 100000 personas/año.¹ Se describe la epidemiología, clínica y microbiología de 38 niños con diagnóstico de absceso cerebral internados entre el 1/4/2005 y el 31/12/2015 en el Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Veinticuatro pacientes fueron varones. La mediana de edad fue de 132 meses. Se detectaron factores predisponentes en 25 niños. La mediana de evolución entre el inicio de los síntomas y la consulta fue de 7 días. Hubo 27 casos con lesiones únicas. Se realizó un drenaje quirúrgico en 34 pacientes. Las bacterias más frecuentes fueron anaerobios, Streptococcus viridans y Staphylococcus aureus. La mediana de tratamiento antibiótico fue de 56 días y la mediana de internación fue de 43 días. La letalidad fue del 3%.

Brain abscess is a focal infection that occurs with a frequency of 0.3-1.3 cases per 100,000 people/year. We describe the epidemiology, clinical and microbiology characteristics of 38 children diagnosed with brain abscess hospitalized between 4/1/2005 and 12/31/2015 at Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" in Buenos Aires City. Twenty-four patients were male. The median age was 132 months. Predisposing factors were detected in 25 children. The median evolution from onset of symptoms to the visit was 7 days. There were 27 cases with single lesions. Surgical drainage was performed in 34 patients. The most frequent bacteria were anaerobes, Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus aureus. The median of antibiotic treatment was 56 days and the median of hospitalization was 43 days. The lethality was 3%.

Treatment of a subdural empyema complicated by intracerebral abscess due to Brucella infection

A 55-year-old male presented with fever, stupor, aphasia, and left hemiparesis. A history of head trauma 3 months before was also reported. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed slight contrast enhancement of lesions under the right frontal skull plate and right frontal lobe. Because of deterioration in nutritional status and intracranial hypertension, the patient was prepared for burr hole surgery. A subdural empyema (SDE) recurred after simple drainage. After detection of Brucella species in SDE, craniotomy combined with antibiotic treatment was undertaken. The patient received antibiotic therapy for 6 months (two doses of 2 g ceftriaxone, two doses of 100 mg doxycycline, and 700 mg rifapentine for 6 months) that resulted in complete cure of the infection. Thus, it was speculated that the preexisting subdural hematoma was formed after head trauma, which was followed by a hematogenous infection caused by Brucella species.

Management of brain abscess: Changing trend and experience in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Intracranial abscess remains a significant health-care problem. Its causes, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome are changing. Aim: This paper reviewed the demography, examined new trends, and compared outcomes with different treatment options. Methodology: Retrospective analysis of intracranial abscesses managed at Memfys Hospital, Enugu (2004­2014) and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (2009­2014). Patients were followed up for at least 6 months. All patients had neuroimaging before intervention. Microscopy and culture were performed for the specimens. Intravenous antibiotics were given for 2 weeks before conversion to oral. Results: Seventy-nine parenchymal abscesses (eight cases per year) were managed. Peak age was the second decade of life. Previous head injury (21.5%) and meningitis (16.5%) were the most common predisposing factors. The frontal lobe was most common anatomical location (32%). Only 24% had positive culture result. Three cases were fungal infections. Seventy percent of patients managed with burr hole drainage and 37.5% of craniotomy made complete recovery. Overall, 58% of patients made complete recovery, whereas 19.0% died. Nine percent of cases died before definitive intervention. Among the 24% of patients that presented in coma, 47% died within 6 months. Most important factor influencing mortality was admission level of consciousness. Abscess recurred in 6% of cases. Conclusion: Intraparenchymal abscesses in Enugu were mostly solitary lesions resulting from poorly managed head injury and meningitis. Predisposition from otitis media and systemic diseases has reduced. The proportion of fungal organisms is increasing. A significant proportion of the patients present in coma. Burr hole and aspiration of abscess is less invasive and has very good outcome

Abscesso cerebral desencadeado por infecção odontogênica? / Brain abscess due to odontogenic infection? Case report

O abscesso cerebral é uma infecção encapsulada que acomete o tecido cerebral promovendo um efeito de massa que desloca as demais estruturas cerebrais, causando diversos sintomas. Este é resultado de uma infecção ou foco próximo às meninges, onde as bactérias se disseminam, atingindo a área cerebral. Os sintomas mais frequentemente apresentados são cefaleia, rigidez do pescoço, vômito, estado febril e fraqueza. O objetivo do presente estudo foi apresentar o relato de caso de uma paciente que, após tratamento periodontal, evoluiu para um quadro de meningite bacteriana e, posteriormente, abscesso cerebral. A paciente entrou em antibioticoterapia (oxacilina, metronidazol e ceftriaxona) durante cinco semanas. Foi realizada uma sequência de exames para obtenção do diagnóstico e realização do tratamento. Foram analisados exames como tomografia, hemograma, ressonância magnética, punção lombar da medula, radiografia do tórax e ecocardiograma. Depois de analisado todo o caso, a suspeita mais evidente para o desencadeamento do quadro infeccioso cerebral foi a intervenção periodontal.

The brain abscess is an infection that affects the encapsulated brain tissue, promoting a mass effect that moves the other brain structures, causing various symptoms. This is the result of an infection or outbreak near ace meninges, where the bacteria spread, reaching the brain area. Symptoms most often appear are headache, stiff neck, vomit, fever and weakness. This study presents a case report of a patient after periodontal treatment, evolved into a framework of bacterial meningitis and subsequent cerebral abscess. The patient went into antibiotics (oxacillin, metronidazole and ceftriaxone) for about 5 weeks. We performed a series of tests, for the diagnosis and continuing treatment. CT scans were analyzed as, CBC, MRI, spinal tap spinal, chest radiography and echocardiography. After examining all cases, the most evident suspected to trigger the brain infection was periodontal intervention.

Absceso cerebral en pacientes pediatricos / Brain abscess in pediatric patients

El absceso cerebral se constituye como un área central supurativa dentro del parénquima cerebral, dentro de una envoltura ampliamente vascularizada. Los patógenos ampliamente aislados en la patogénesis de esta entidad en niños son los Streptococos spp. A pesar del avance en la terapia antimicrobiana, las técnicas neuroquirúrgicas e imagenológicas, que permiten su diagnóstico y ubicación oportuna, el absceso cerebral aún se considera un problema de salud pública, con una importante incidencia, morbilidad y mortalidad en países en vía de desarrollo. Para el manejo de este tipo de infección del SNC, se requerirá de un abordaje multidisciplinario que involucre terapia médico quirúrgica. El objetivo de esta revisión es hacer un abordaje amplio sobre la patobiología del absceso cerebral relacionada con la labor concerniente al neurocirujano.

Brain abscess is formed as a central suppurativa area within the brain parenchyma, within an envelope extensively vascularized. Microorganisms largely isolated in the pathogenesis of this condition in children are Streptococos spp. Despite the progress in antimicrobial therapy, neurosurgical techniques and imagenologic support, which enabling timely diagnosis and location, brain abscess is still considered a public health problem and has an important incidence, morbidity and mortality in developing countries. To handle this type of CNS infection, will require a multidisciplinary approach involving surgical medical therapy. The aim of this review is to make a comprehensive approach on the pathobiology of brain abscess related to the work concerning the neurosurgeon.

Endocardite mural de átrio esquerdo complicada por abscesso cerebral: relato de caso / Left atrial wall endocarditis complicated y brain abscess: case report

Paciente feminina, 19 anos, foi admitida na emergência com febre diária e cefaleia. Evoluiu com alteração demarcha, de fala, confusão mental, disartria, dispneia, taquicardia, petéquias nas solas e hemorragia subungueal. Realizado ecocardiograma transesofágicoque revelou valva mitral com espessamento de folhetos, falta de coaptação, moderada insuficiência egrande vegetação (10 mm x 4 mm) aderida ao endocárdio da face posterior do átrio esquerdo. Colheu-se hemocultura positiva para Staphylococcus aureus, e a paciente foi diagnosticada com endocarditeinfecciosa pelos critérios de Duke modificados, dando-se início à antibioticoterapia. Ela apresentou boa evolução clínica, entretanto, a febre persistia. Realizou-se tomografia de crânio, que revelou abscesso cerebral.A paciente então foi submetida à drenagem, com resolução da febre.

A 19 year-old female patient was admitted to the ER with daily fever and headache, progressing to altered gait, unclear speech, mental confusion,dysarthria, dyspnea, tachycardia, petechiae on the soles of the feet and subungual hemorrhage.Transesophageal echocardiography shows thickening of the mitral valve leaflets, lack of coaptation, moderate insufficiency and large vegetation (10mm x 4mm) adhering to theendocardium of the posterior left atrial wall. The blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditisaccording to the modified Duke criteria, and antibiotic treatment was started. Although progressing well in clinical terms, the fever persisted. Cranial tomography showed a brain abscess that was drained, thus lowering the fever.

Absceso cerebral en lactante: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Infant brain abscess: case report and literature review

El absceso cerebral concierne a una colección de pus localizada en el parénquima cerebral. Es muy poco frecuente en los niños lactantes, predominando en los jóvenes y personas de edad avanzada. Esta entidad se presenta con manifestaciones clínicas muy variable. Los agentes etiológicos son muy diversos pero predominan los Streptococos, Staphylococcus y la klebsiella. El diagnóstico se basa en el cuadro clínico, el examen físico y los complementarios. El tratamiento se adecua al estadio en el que se encuentre la lesión inflamatoria, el germen que la produzca, el tamaño de la lesión y la condición neurológica del paciente. En el presente trabajo se presenta un lactante de 4 meses de edad con antecedentes de haber tenido una infección respiratoria alta tres meses previos a su ingreso que un mes después comenzó con fiebre de 38-39° C asociado a irritabilidad y fontanela anterior ocupada, en la tomografía contrastada se evidenció imagen hipodensa en región frontal izquierda con gran efecto de masa y desplazamiento de las estructuras de la línea media. Fue puncionado dos días consecutivos donde se evacuaron 80 ml de pus amarillento, en cada proceder al 4to día se interviene quirúrgicamente con craneotomía frontotemporal izquierda y lobectomía frontal ipsilateral con resección de toda la cápsula. Se le mantuvo con tratamiento antibiótico por 3 semanas. En la resonancia magnética postoperatoria hubo una desaparición de los signos inflamatorios del encéfalo, su evolución posterior fue satisfactoria.

A cerebral abscess is defined as a collection of pus within the cerebral parenchyma. Though rare in infants, it is common among young patients and the elderly. The clinical manifestations are varied. The predominant etiological agents include Streptococci, staphylococci and klebsiella. A patient is diagnosed based on the clinical picture, the physical exam and complementary tests. Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease, its size, the causative agent, and the neurological condition of the patient. A case is presented of a four month old infant with a history of an upper respiratory tract infection three months prior to his admission. One month later, he exhibited a high fever of 38-39 °C with irritability and a tense anterior fontanel. The CT scan revealed a hypo dense lesion in the left frontal lobe with significant mass effect and midline shift. The lesion was punctured on two consecutive days and 80 ml of yellowish pus was removed on both occasions. Four days later, a left fronto-temporal craniotomy and an ipsilateral frontal lobectomy was performed, with complete excision of the capsule. Antibiotic therapy was continued for three weeks. The post op MRI confirmed the complete excision of the lesion and disappearance of the surrounding edema. Recovery was satisfactory

Successful prognosis of brain abscess during pregnancy

Brain abscess in pregnancy is very rare, which mostly progresses to neurological abnormalities. The patient is a 24-year-old pregnant woman. She was referred to Saitama hospital due to severe headache and nausea on October 2008. Brain MRI detected a 1.5 cm abscess mass with extensive edema in the right frontal lobe. We performed intensive therapy using some antibiotics that included cefotaxime and meropenem and depressants for intracranial pressure for six weeks. There was a good prognosis for the woman and her fetus without any sign of neurological abnormalities. Early medical intervention is required before it is too late for brain abscess in pregnancy

Absceso cerebral por Citrobacter koseri en lactantes. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Citrobacter koseri brain abscess in an infant. Case report and literature review

Se presenta el caso de una niña de 2 meses admitida con absceso cerebral, cuya manifestación principal fue la macrocefalia evolutiva. Presentaba irritabilidad y vómitos aislados comosíntomas asociados. Se realizó tomografía axial computada cerebral que reveló una lesión quística de localización frontal con desplazamiento hemisférico contralateral. La intervención quirúrgica permitió obtener material purulento, con cultivo positivo para Citrobacter koseri (diversus). El cultivo de líquido cefalorraquídeo fue negativo. Cumplió tratamiento antibióticodurante 6 semanas con buena evolución. Como complicación presentó hidrocefalia posquirúrgica que requirió colocación de válvula ventriculoperitoneal.

Absceso cerebral posquirúrgico causado por Propionibacterium acnes / Post-surgery cerebral abscess due to Propionibacterium acnes

Los abscesos cerebrales por Propionibacterium acnes son poco frecuentes. Es importante para el médico clínico la rápida identificación de este patógeno para la elección de una terapéutica antibiótica adecuada. En este caso se describe un paciente con una exéresis de un glioblastoma multiforme donde a los 9 meses se evidenció la existencia de una recidiva tumoral, se efectuó una extirpación tumoral subtotal y la colocación de implantes de quimioterapia en el lecho tumoral residual. Al cabo de un mes de esta reoperación presentó una lesión ocupante compatible con un absceso cerebral, motivo por el cual se realizó nueva craneotomía y drenaje del mismo. En los cultivos de las biopsias y del material purulento se aisló P. acnes como flora única. Para la identificación se realizaron pruebas bioquímicas y se aplicó el sistema API20A. Se determinó la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) a clindamicina, penicilina, amoxicilina y metronidazol, los valores de CIM (ug/ml) obtenidos fueron: 0.250, 0.040, 0.023 y 256, respectivamente. El paciente recibió cefepime más metronidazol por vía endovenosa durante un período de 30 días y completó tratamiento con clindamicina por vía oral durante 60 días, dada la posible complicación ósea en el sitio de la infección. Luego de 8 meses de la intervención quirúrgica y el drenaje del absceso cerebral no hubo evidencia de signos clínicos de recidiva tumoral e infecciosa. P. acnes es un patógeno infrecuente como causal de abscesos cerebrales, sin embargo no se debe desestimar en muestras neuroquirúrgicas.

Brain abscesses by Propionibacterium acnes are rare. The rapid identification of this pathogen is important in order to choice the appropriate antibiotic therapy. We describe the case of a patient with excision of a multiform glioblastoma who 9 months later presented a tumor recurrence. A subtotal tumor excision was made and implants chemotherapy were placed in the residual tumor. After one month of surgery the patient presented a brain abscess. A craniotomy for drainage was performed. P. acnes was isolated from the biopsy and from purulent material. Identification was made by conventional biochemical tests and by the API system 20 A. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) to clindamycin, penicillin, amoxicillin and metronidazole was determined. The values of MIC (ug/ml) obtained were: 0.250, 0.040, 0.023 and 256, respectively. The patient received cefepime and metronidazole intravenously during 30 days and completed treatment with oral clindamycin for 60 days, considering the possibility of adjacent bone involvement. Eight months after the drainage the patient had no evidence of infection or tumor recurrence. Although P. acnes is a rare cause of post-neurosurgical infection, it should be considered as a possible pathogen in postoperative brain abscesses.

Abscessos do tronco cerebral: apresentação de seis casos / Brain stem abscess: a study of six cases

Estudo retrospectivo de seis casos de abscesso de tronco cerebral, atendidos num período de cinco anos em nosso Serviço. Foram levados em consideração: idade dos pacientes, sexo, comorbidades, sorologia para HIV, quadro clínico, tratamento realizado (craniotomia ou punção por estereotaxia), microorganismo identificado e resultado do tratamento. Apresentamos, a seguir, a discussão dos casos e revisão da literatura...

Brain abscesses in Iraq during a 10 years period: Part 11. Diagnostic investigations, management -and outcome

This study comprises two parts, the first one dealt with epidemiology etiology and clinical picture of brain abscess. This part describes diagnostic investigation management and final outcome of brain abscess during a 10 years period. The case records of patients with brain abscess admitted to the neurosur, specialties hospital in Baghdad over a 10 years period extending from 1 "Jan. 1993 to 31 " Dec. 2002, inclusive were reviewed. Data obtained included demographic and clinical data. Results of peripheral leukocytes count, ESR and CSF were supportive in 16.7%, 67.9% 78% of cases in which tests were applied, respectively. CT scan was suggestive in 100% of cases. Use of antibiotic therapy as a preliminary treatment line was adopted in 37.8% cases, while surgery as a preliminary line of treatment was adopted in 62.3% of cases. Out 68 cases, complete resolution was encountered in 70.6% ol'cases, sequlae in 11.8% and death in 17.9%. Bad neurological 'status on admission was the most encountered contributing factor for death. Metastasis from a remote infection process is a risky aetiology contributing to bad prognosis. The use Of C I Scan represents all important change in the diagnostic regimen brain abscess in the last 10-15 years

Brain abscess secondary to frontal osteomyelitis / Abscesso cerebral secundário à osteomielite frontal

Frontal osteomyelitis is a rare complication of sinusitis. Common intracranial complications of the frontal osteomyelitis are meningitis, epidural empyema, subdural empyema and brain abscess. We described a case of frontal osteomyelitis with brain abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus with improve after needle aspiration and antibiotics to brain abscess for eight weeks and for chronic osteomyelitis for four months.

A osteomielite de osso frontal é uma complicação rara da sinusite frontal. As complicações intracranianas mais comuns da osteomielite frontal são: meningite, empiema epidural, empiema subdural e abscesso cerebral. Relatamos um caso de osteomielite frontal com abscesso cerebral cujo agente etiológico foi o Staphylococcus aureus. Houve melhora significativa após drenagem guiada por agulha e antibiótico por oito semanas e para a osteomielite crônica por quatro meses.

Absceso recidivante por Nocardia asteroides en una paciente portadora de poliglobulia primaria / Recurrent brain abscess caused by Nocardia asteroides in a patient with primary polycythaemia

La nocardiosis del sistema nervioso central (SNC) es una enfermedad poco común, cuya frecuencia ha aumentado con el crecimiento de los tratamientos inmunosupresores. El hombre se infecta por inhalación, inoculación traumática cutánea directa y tras una infección periodontal ingiriendo alimentos contaminados. La localización pulmonar es la más frecuente, siendo la fuente inicial de diseminación hemática, con predominio en piel, tejido celular subcutáneo y SNC. Es conocida la predilección de Nocardia por el SNC. Estos abscesos, asociados a altos índices de mortalidad, especialmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos, siguen constituyendo un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico, permaneciendo no aclarado su manejo terapéutico óptimo. A pesar de la controversia en cuanto al manejo quirúrgico de estas lesiones, el diagnóstico precoz, por aspiración esterotáxica, y la iniciación de una terapia antimicrobiana son esenciales para la buena evolución del paciente. Se presenta una paciente portadora de una poliglobulia primaria, con absceso cerebral recidivante por Nocardia asteroides de posible origen dentario.

Empiema subdural como complicación de sinusitis / Subdural empyema secondary to sinusitis

El empiema subdural es una complicación infrecuente de la sinusitis en niños. Esta condición se acompaña de una alta morbi mortalidad, por lo que es considerada una emergencia neuro-quirúrgica. Se describe la evolución clínico imagenológica de un escolar previamente sano que cursa con un empiema subdural secundario a una pansinusitis y se discute la presentación clínica, diagnóstico imagenológico y tratamiento médico-quirúrgico de esta patología en base a una revisión de la literatura.

Absceso cerebral: a propósito de una serie de 30 casos / Brain abscess: about a clinical series of 30 patients

Se diseñó un estudio para conocer las principales características clínicas en 30 pacientes atendidos por absceso cerebral entre 1989 y 2005. La puerta de entrada predominante fue por contigüidad (40 por ciento) y luego inoculación directa por neurocirugía-trauma o diseminación hematógena (23,3 por ciento). La fiebre, cefalea y el compromiso de conciencia fueron las manifestaciones cardinales y la localización predominante fue temporal o frontal. Se observó un predominio de infecciones polimicrobianas y por cocáceas gram positivas. La mayor parte fue sometida a tratamiento quirúrgico (66,7 por ciento) y el resto a tratamiento médico solamente. Durante el tratamiento antimicrobiano, 6 pacientes (20 por ciento) presentaron una reacción adversa que obligó a su suspensión o a cambio. Se observó fracaso del tratamiento médico-quirúrgico en 40 por ciento de los casos, incluyendo 3 decesos (10 por ciento letalidad), drenaje quirúrgico no programado o reintervenciones (16,7 por ciento) o ajustes de esquema (13,3 por ciento). Ocho pacientes presentaron secuelas al alta (26,7 por ciento) y durante el seguimiento, 21 por ciento presentó rehospitalizaciones relacionadas o falleció.

Aspergilose cerebral em paciente imunocompetente / Cerebral Aspergillus abscess in immunocompetent patient

Descrevemos um caso raro de aspergilose cerebral, como complicação de cirurgia para aneurisma cerebral, em paciente imunocompetente, e com sucesso no tratamento. A paciente, de 40 anos, havia sido submetida a craniotomia para clipagem de aneurisma da artéria pericalosa. Após cinco meses, no sitio cirúrgico, surgiram múltiplos abscessos por Aspergillus sp. Foram necessárias duas craniotomias para a retirada da massa fúngica e uso de anfotericina B. Após 14 anos de acompanhamento, a evolução mostra resolução da aspergilose, sem seqüela. O tratamento do abscesso cerebral por Aspergilus exige acompanhamento clínico contínuo, repetidas drenagens cirúrgicas intracranianas e o uso de anfotericina B no tratamento medicamentoso.

Gas-producing brain abscess

A case of a known psychiatric patient who presented with rapid neurological deterioration is reported. Neuroimaging revealed a gas-producing brain abscess in left parietal lobe with a contiguous focus of infection in the adjacent bone and scalp initiated by obsessive scalp scratching. On complete surgical excision of abscess, followed by culturebased antibiotic therapy, a good neurological recovery was achieved with minimal residual deficits at follow-up