Uncommon intracranial abscesses.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Intracranial abscess, though uncommon, have relatively higher occurrence in low socio-economic settings where previous antibiotic abuse and lack modern culture techniques makes isolation of organisms difficult. Diagnosis and treatment are further delayed by a poor referral system and low index for suspicion. Tuberculoma, cannabis abuse, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt catheters and cancer therapy are presented here as unusual causes of intracranial abscesses.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES:

To highlight less commonly encountered causes of an uncommon, but dreaded, neurosurgical condition, their diagnosis and treatment approaches.

CASE REPORTS:

Five patients who had surgical evacuation of intracranial abscesses not due to pathology from the more familiar spread from sinusitis, mastoid, middle ear, post-meningitic or post -traumatic aetiology are presented. Contrast computerised tomography (CT) brain scan was essential in clinching the diagnosis and determining the management options.

CONCLUSIONS:

Persistent headaches or features of intracranial involvement (in patients undergoing treatment for other conditions) should always warrant CT of the brain. However, there are several differential diagnoses of ring-enhancing lesions on CT which have to be excluded when considering an abscess.

• Authors: DO Udoh
• Journal: Journal of the West African College of Surgeons (J West Afr Coll Surg) Vol. 2 Issue 1 Pg. 75-83 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 2276-6944 [Print] India
• PMID: 25452979 (Publication Type: Journal Article)