CNS INFECTIONS-BRAIN ABSCESS

SUMMARY

1. Most abscesses arise from intracranial extension of cranial infections (sinuses, teeth) or after skull fracture or neurosurgical procedures.

2. Much less often, they are due to bacteremic seeding.

3. In adults, the most common organisms are staph and strep species (e.g., S. epidermidis after a penetrating head injury), but don't forget about Nocardia.

4. In the immunocompromised, consider toxoplasmosis.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].