Risk Factors Associated with Poor Outcomes in Patients with Brain Abscesses

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors in patients with brain abscesses treated in a single institute during a recent 10-year period. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with brain abscesses who underwent navigation-assisted abscess aspiration with antibiotic treatment were included in this study. Variable parameters were collected from the patients' medical records and radiological data. A comparison was made between patients with favorable [Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) > or =4] and unfavorable (GOS or =13) and 24 patients (47%) had predisposing factors. The offending microorganisms were identified in 25 patients (49%), and Streptococcus species were the most commonly isolated bacteria (27%). The mean duration of antibiotic administration was 42 days. At discharge, 41 patients had a favorable outcome and 10 had an unfavorable outcome including 8 deaths. The decreased level of consciousness (GCS or =140 mg/dL) was an independent risk factor for prolonged antibiotic therapy (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: We found that the level of consciousness at admission was associated with treatment outcomes in patients with brain abscesses. Furthermore, initial hyperglycemia was closely related to the long-term use of antibiotic agents.