Brain abscesses in children: analysis of 20 cases presenting at a medical center.
OBJECTIVE
Brain abscess is an uncommon intracranial suppuration, especially in children. We reviewed the records of children with brain abscess admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, and analyzed data on presenting symptoms, predisposing factors and outcomes.


METHODS
Information was obtained retrospectively from medical records of children diagnosed with brain abscess. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, sites of abscess, infectious organisms, treatment regimen, and prognosis were collected and analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty cases of brain abscess within an 11-year period were included in this study. Fever, seizure and focal neurological deficits were the most common presenting symptoms. Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), present in 35% of patients, was the most common predisposing factor. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. Approximately two-thirds of cases followed up had some form of seizure disorder sequelae; such sequelae were more common in patients with the initial presentation of seizure.


CONCLUSIONS
CCHD was the most common predisposing factor for brain abscess in children, and a high level of seizure disorder sequelae was noted. Children suffering from brain abscess, whose initial presentation reveals seizure, are at increased risk of further seizure disorder.
Kao
Kai-Liang
KL
Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wu
Keh-Gong
KG
Chen
Chun-Jen
CJ
Wu
Jionn-Jong
JJ
Tang
Ren-Bin
RB
Chang
Kai-Ping
KP
Wong
Tai-Tong
TT
D000293:Adolescent; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013624:Taiwan