Brain abscess--diagnosis and management.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, sources of infection, surgical management outcome and microorganisms involved in the brain abscess in our locality.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
The department of Neurosurgery, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana from July 1998 to June 2003.


METHODS
All patients who were confirmed cases of brain abscess were entered into the study. Data collected on proforma, contained categories of age, gender, clinical presentation, diagnostic laboratory findings, computed tomography scan reports, associated anomalies, surgical management, culture reports antibiotic therapy, microbiologic features and treatment out come.


RESULTS
Out of 82 patients, 58 were males and 24 females. Mean age was 18 years (range 05 months to 55 years). Headache with papilloedema was the commonest presentation (82%). Neurological deficit was present in 46%. A source of infection was present in 89%. Otogenic source was the commonest (63%). CT scan was diagnostic in all (100%) cases. Solitary abscess was found in 79% of the cases while in 21% of the cases multiple abscess were found. Temporal lobe was the commonest site involved (55%). Cultures were found positive for microorganism in 82% of the cases. Bacteriodes (38%) and Streptococci (25%) were the commonest isolates. Burr hole aspiration was done in only 38% of the cases while excision of the capsule along with aspiration was carried out in 62% of the cases. Over all morality was 22% in this series; causes of death were septicemia, ventriculitis and pneumonia.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis with CT scan, appropriate antibiotic therapy and complete removal of abscess along with excision of capsule could reduce the mortality and neurological deficits from brain abscess.
Department of Neurosurgery, Chandka Medical College, VIP Road, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. alibhand@hyd.paknet.com.pk
Ali Akbar
AA
Bhand
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013702:Temporal Lobe; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents