Imipenem therapy of brain abscesses.

Abstract

The efficacy of imipenem versus standard chemotherapy (both in addition to neurosurgery) in the treatment of brain abscess was compared in a retrospective study. Cure was obtained in 52 of 60 (86.7%) patients in the standard group, and in 15 of 15 (including 5 patients with multiple brain abscesses) in the imipenem group. Cure without neurosurgery was observed in 2 of 60 (3.3%) and 3 of 15 (20%) of the cases, respectively (p = 0.08). Levels of imipenem in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain pus were above the minimum inhibitory concentrations of most of the abscess isolates. Side effects of imipenem were rare and tolerance was excellent. Imipenem monotherapy (3-4 g/day) for five weeks seems a reasonable therapeutic choice for treatment of bacterial brain abscesses.

• Authors: V Asensi, J A Carton, J A Maradona, J M Asensi, F Pérez, P Redondo, A López, J M Arribas
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 15 Issue 8 Pg. 653-7 (Aug 1996) ISSN: 0934-9723 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 8894574 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thienamycins
• Imipenem

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Brain Abscess (drug therapy)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Imipenem (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Thienamycins (therapeutic use)