Propionibacterium acnes brain abscess appearing 10 years after neurosurgery.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of Propionibacterium acnes infection arising 10 years after neurosurgery and to review the literature regarding similar cases and their treatment.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.


METHODS
A 70-year-old man with an intracerebral abscess and 2 biopsies culture positive for P acnes 10 years after subdural hematoma evacuation. Intervention Surgical biopsy followed by 6 weeks of intravenous vancomycin.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging, neurologic examination, and microbiology culture results.


RESULTS
Biopsies obtained from abscesses grew only P acnes. Magnetic resonance imaging and serial neurological examinations showed marked improvement after 6 weeks of intravenous vancomycin.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection by P acnes can complicate neurosurgical procedures as late as 10 years after surgery and therefore should be considered in the evaluation of patients presenting with neurologic signs and symptoms with a history of neurosurgery.
Kranick
Sarah M
SM
Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Department of Neurology, 3 W Gates, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. sarah.kranick@uphs.upenn.edu
Vinnard
Christopher
C
Kolson
Dennis L
DL
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013995:Time; D013997:Time Factors; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin