title: Cure of a solitary brainstem abscess with antibiotic therapy: case report.
abstract: A solitary brainstem abscess is uncommon. The use of antibiotics and surgical aspiration or excision of a brainstem abscess has resulted in survivors. Survival after treatment of a brainstem abscess with antibiotics alone has been reported rarely, and we present the eighth study case. The patient made an excellent recovery after 12 weeks of antibiotics, with 8 weeks completed as an outpatient. Medical management of a solitary brainstem abscess in an immunocompetent patient is feasible and may result in a complete cure with antibiotics only. Completion of IV antibiotics as an outpatient is viable and cost-effective in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fulgham
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wijdicks
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001933:Brain Stem; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009254:Nafcillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009460:Neurologic Examination
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D009254:Nafcillin; D002442:Ceftazidime