Nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as an intracranial abscess.
BACKGROUND
There are many conditions related to brain abscess. Brain abscesses resulting from nasopharyngeal carcinoma is rare. It is unusual for an intracranial abscess to appear as the initial clinical presentation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
A 43-year-old male patient suffering from nasopharyngeal carcinoma with the initial manifestation of an intracranial abscess without symptoms and signs suggestive of the primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma is reported. The diagnosis was particularly elusive and was not made until the third admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is rare, intracranial abscess should be considered as one of the possible manifestations of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Chen
J F
JF
Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Medical College and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Lee
S T
ST
D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed