Brain abscess is a collection of pus, surrounded by a capsule, located in the brain tissue. It occurs due to infections by bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria or parasites, and can cause symptoms such as headache, fever, vomiting and neurological changes, such as loss of strength or seizures, depending on its size and location.
Generally, the brain abscess appears as a serious complication of an infection already existing in the body, such as otitis, deep sinusitis or dental infection, for example, either by the spread of the infection or by dissemination through the blood, but also occurs due to a contamination from brain surgery or trauma to the skull.
Treatment is done with drugs that fight the causative microorganism, such as antibiotics or antifungals, and in many cases surgical drainage of accumulated pus is also necessary, favoring healing and faster recovery.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of brain abscess are variable according to the causative organism, the person's immunity, as well as the location and size of the lesion. Some of the main symptoms include:
- Headache;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Convulsions;
- Localized neurological changes, such as vision changes, speech difficulties, or loss of strength or tenderness in parts of the body, for example;
- Stiff neck.
In addition, if it causes brain swelling or is very bulky, the abscess can also cause signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension, such as sudden vomiting and changes in consciousness. Understand better what is and what causes intracranial hypertension.
How to confirm
The diagnosis of cerebral abscess is made by the physician, based on clinical evaluation, physical examination and request of examinations such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, which show typical alterations of the phases of the disease, such as cerebral inflammation, areas of necrosis and the collection of pus wrapped by a capsule.
Blood tests such as blood counts, inflammation markers, and blood cultures can help identify the infection and the causative agent.
Who has more risk
Generally, the brain abscess is derived from some infection already existing in the body, and people who are more likely to develop this complication include:
- People with compromised immunity, such as those with AIDS, transplanted, using immunosuppressive or malnourished medicines, for example;
- Users of injecting drug use,
- Carriers of respiratory infections such as sinusitis, otitis, matoiditis or pneumonia;
- Persons with acute endocarditis;
- Carriers of dental infections;
- Diabetics;
- People who have had lung infections such as empyema or abscesses in the lung. Learn how pulmonary abscess is formed and what to do;
- Victims of cranial trauma or who underwent cranial surgery, by direct introduction of bacteria in the region.
Some of the microorganisms that usually cause brain abscess are bacteria such as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, fungi such as Aspergilus or Candida, parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis, or even the Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycobacterium, which causes tuberculosis .
How is the treatment done?
Treatment of brain abscess is done with the use of potent antimicrobials, such as antibiotics or antifungals, in the vein to combat the causative microorganism. In addition, drainage of the abscess, in a surgical center, is usually indicated by a neurosurgeon.
It is also necessary to remain hospitalized for a few more days, to observe the clinical improvement and follow-up of the exams.
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