title: Brain abscess in Korean children: A 15-year single center study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A brain abscess is a serious disease of the central nerve system. We conducted this study to summarize the clinical manifestations and outcomes of brain abscesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients diagnosed with brain abscesses from November 1994 to June 2009 was performed at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients were included in this study. On average, 1.67 cases per year were identified and the median age was 4.3 years. The common presenting clinical manifestations were fever (18/25, 72%), seizure (12/25, 48%), altered mental status (11/25, 44%), and signs of increased intracranial pressure (9/25, 36%). A total of 14 (56%) patients had underlying illnesses, with congenital heart disease (8/25, 32%) as the most common cause. Predisposing factors were identified in 15 patients (60%). The common predisposing factors were otogenic infection (3/25, 12%) and penetrating head trauma (3/25, 12%). Causative organisms were identified in 64% of patients (16/25). The causative agents were S. intermedius (n=3), S. aureus (n=3), S. pneumoniae (n=1), Group B streptococcus (n=2), E. coli (n=1), P. aeruginosa (n=1), and suspected fungal infection (n=5). Seven patients received medical treatment only while the other 18 patients also required surgical intervention. The overall fatality rate was 16% and 20% of patients had neurologic sequelae. There was no statistical association between outcomes and the factors studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although uncommon, a brain abscess is a serious disease. A high level of suspicion is very important for early diagnosis and to prevent serious consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Cha Gon
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Yae Jean
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyung Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hyun Shin
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jee Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mun Hyang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee