title: Stereotactic drainage of brain abscesses.
abstract: Between 1981 and 1986, 16 patients with brain abscesses underwent computed tomography (CT) guided stereotactic aspiration with (n = 5) or without (n = 11), catheter drainage. Infectious sources were found in 11 patients; 6 patients had concomitant immune suppression. Bacterial or mixed toxoplasmic-fungal or toxoplasmic-viral abscesses were diagnosed in 14 patients. After prolonged antimicrobial treatment, follow-up clinical and radiological evaluations confirmed abscess resolution in 12 patients. The abscess size was smaller in four patients, three of whom died 30-60 days after surgery due to overwhelming systemic opportunistic infections. One patient with a tuberculous brain abscess continued to exhibit gradual abscess regression one year after beginning three-drug antituberculous therapy. No surgical mortality occurred but two patients required evacuation of post-operative intracerebral haematomas that resulted from over-vigorous abscess aspiration. CT stereotactic drainage is a safe and effective technique to diagnose and treat brain abscesses and is mandatory for small or deep-seated lesions. Empirical therapy of suspected brain abscesses is rarely warranted in the era of CT stereotactic surgery.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents