title: Multiple brain abscesses in an immunocompetent patient after undergoing professional tooth cleaning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental disorders and dental treatment are among the variety of causes of brain abscess.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors present the case of a patient who developed multiple brain abscesses after undergoing professional tooth cleaning. The results of a diagnostic work-up ruled out an underlying immunodeficiency. After receiving neurosurgical intervention and intensive care treatment by means of local and intravenous antibiotics for 24 days, the patient was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation. Six months after the treatment, the patient still had moderate residual paresis of the left leg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although it happens rarely, professional tooth cleaning may be considered a cause of brain abscesses even in otherwise healthy patients.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Pallesen is a resident and a neurologist, Department of Neurology, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany, e-mail lars-peder.pallesen@uniklinikum-dresden.de. Address correspondence to Dr. Pallesen.
authors.forename: Lars-Peder
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Pallesen
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schaefer is a senior physician and a neurologist, Department of Neurology, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.affiliation: Dr. Reuner is a senior physician and a neurologist, Department of Neurology, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Reuner
authors.affiliation: Dr. Leonhardt is a resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leonhardt
authors.affiliation: Dr. Engellandt is a senior physician, Department of Neuroradiology, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engellandt
authors.affiliation: Dr. Schneider is a senior physician and a neurologist, Department of Neurology, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Hauke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Dr. Reichmann is a professor and the chair, Department of Neurology, and the dean of the medical faculty, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reichmann
authors.affiliation: Dr. Puetz is a senior physician and a neurologist, Department of Neurology, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puetz
mesh_terms: D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011859:Radiography
keywords: Abscess; dental care; immunology; microbiology; prophylaxis