title: A case of a brain stem abscess with a favorable outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A brain stem abscess is a rare and severe medical condition. Here, we present a rare case of a brain stem abscess in a young pregnant woman, requiring acute stereotactic intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 36-year-old woman presented with a headache, nausea, and vomiting, and computed tomography showed a space-occupying lesion in the brain stem. She became shortly after comatose, and we decided to perform an acute stereotactic aspiration of the abscess. Soon after surgery, her neurological condition improved dramatically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brainstem abscess is a life-threatening condition with a potentially good outcome if treated adequately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Vincent J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Bulthuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Felix S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Gubler
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Onno P M
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Teernstra
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Yasin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Temel
keywords: Brain stem abscess; life-threatening; stereotactic surgery