[A case of brain abscess of the basal ganglia which resulted in disastrous outcome due to ventricular ruptures].
A case of deep-seated brain abscess that ruptured twice into the ventricle and resulted in death is presented. A 45-year-old man had experienced pyrexia and headache for 3 days before admission. On admission he was somnolent (GCS: 13) but there were no abnormal neurological findings except nuchal rigidity and Kernig's sign. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a ring enhanced mass near the left caudate head and dilated ventricles. In comparison with CT performed at the former hospital it was diagnosed that a rupture into the ventricle of the brain abscess had occurred. Ventricular drainage was performed at once and white purulent cerebrospinal fluid was obtained. Thereafter, he was treated with some antibiotics and his conditions seemed to stabilize for a while. Serial CT images demonstrated that the size of the abscess seemed to be enlarging. Just when we planned to undertake stereotactic aspiration, the second ventricular rupture occurred and he died. According to this case, it is suggested that once a deep-seated brain abscess near the ventricular system is suspected, it should be aspirated by means of CT-guided stereotactic surgery immediately.
Hashizume
A
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Kure National Hospital.
Kodama
Y
Y
Hotta
T
T
Yuki
K
K
Taniguchi
E
E
Kuroki
K
K
Yamane
T
T
Katayama
S
S
Iida
K
K
D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous