title: [Nocardia farcinica brain abscess: clinical and specific radiological findings and management. Report of two cases in immunononcompromised patients].
abstract: Nocardia spp. cerebral abscesses are rare and usually occur in immunocompromised patients. We report two recent cases of cerebral abscesses due to Nocardia farcinica in immunocompetent patients and review the literature about diagnosis and therapeutic issues. Outcome was good for the two patients following an early identification of the bacteria. Stereotactic biopsy was performed in one case and craniotomy with excision of the abscess in the other case. In both cases, complete identification of the bacteria could be achieved, followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy. Exposure to the germ (mainly telluric) is often difficult to suspect from the past medical history of the patient. Diagnosis is also unexpected. Despite the typically and characteristic aspect on CT and MRI, specific identification and anti-microbial sensitivity profiles are necessary to optimize treatment. In some rare cases, unusual species like Nocardia farcinica, can be resistant to numerous antibiotics requiring adjustments of medical management. Early identification of the bacteria is necessary to achieve good outcome in immunocompetents patients.
authors.affiliation: Service de Neurochirurgie, CHU de Bicêtre, 78, rue du Général-Leclerc, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vialle
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aghakhani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Otayza
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Monteanu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Safi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tadie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents