title: [Cerebral abscesses in children treated by puncture. A 16 year-experience].
abstract: In the last 16 years, 33 children have been treated for brain abscesses. Fifteen (45.5%) presented with cyanogenic congenital heart disease; eleven (33.5%) with E.N.T. infection. The standardized treatment protocol included puncture of the abscess, antibiotherapy and anti-edematous drugs. Postoperative permanent epidural ICP monitoring and, in the last 6 years, repeated CT scans indicated when it was necessary to tap the abscess again or to reinforce the anti-edematous treatment. However, in 3 of these 33 cases, the abscess had to be removed. Postoperative mortality rate was 3%. Overall mortality rate was 6%. Neurological sequelae were slight. Epilepsy occurred in 10%. Mental retardation (16%) was only found in children with cyanogenic congenital heart diseases. Repeated CT scans showed the progressive disappearance, within a few months, of the abscess membranes. This study shows an improvement in the results when brain abscesses in children are punctured rather than excised.
mesh_terms: D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000209:etiology; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D008297:Male; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000150:complications; D011677:Punctures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Les abcès cérébraux de l'enfant traités par ponction. Une expérience de 16 années.