Transethmoidal drainage of frontal brain abscesses.
BACKGROUND
The frontal lobe is the second most common location for brain abscess after the temporal lobe. Since the advent of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanning, diagnosis has become easier, but the prognosis of brain abscess is still poor. Treatment is based on antimicrobial therapy and neurosurgical evacuation, but controversy still remains as to the merits place of each.


METHODS
This study describes 2 cases of patients with frontal abscesses treated by endonasal transethmoidal sinus surgery (ESS) and reviews the literature on this topic.


RESULTS
Follow-up revealed no cerebrospinal fluid leak in both patients, complete abscess drainage in one patient, and incomplete drainage in the other.


CONCLUSIONS
ESS drainage of frontal abscesses is feasible in intracerebral and epidural abscesses if they have a thick shell and are in contact with the skull base. The procedure is minimally invasive and relatively simple. It allows for rapid microbial identification and an effective drainage.
Patron
Vincent
V
Limoges University Hospital Center, Limoges, France, Rennes University Hospital Center, Rennes, France. vtromps@yahoo.fr
Orsel
Stéphane
S
Caire
François
F
Aubry
Karine
K
Jégoux
Franck
F
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged