Intracranial abscess and empyema from ENT origin

ABSTRACT

Intracranial abscess and empyemas from ENT infection are rare. The aim of our study was to recall the treatment and therapeutic results. It was a retrospective study from 1995 to 2006 concerning. 23 patients who had brain abscesses secondary to an ENT infection. The infections origin was otological in 56% of cases, sinusal in 44%. Bacterias were identified in 40% of cases. All patients benefited a medical treatment to basis of at least 2 antibiotics a long length going from 20 days to 3 less by intravenous way. Nine patients benefited neurosurgery with an ENT treatment surgical. Nine patients had alone neurosurgery and 5 cases had an ENT surgery alone. The treatment consists in excision or single punction of the abscess. 72% are alive and well. We have no dead. The classical intracranial hypertension associated to high fever is usually truncated. The diagnosis is more precocious thanks to the progress of the medical imagery. Multibacterial infections are frequent. Treatment is medical and surgical. Recovery requires a specific surgical treatment of the ENT infection in more than 60% of cases. An adapted treatment permits a recovery without after effects in at least the half of cases