Brain Abscess 

  • Author: Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 5, 2012
 

Background

Intracranial abscesses are uncommon, serious, life-threatening infections. They include brain abscess and subdural or extradural empyema and are classified according to the anatomical location or the etiologic agent. The term brain abscess is used in this article to represent all types of intracranial abscesses.[1]

Intracranial abscesses can originate from infection of contiguous structures (eg, otitis media, dental infection, mastoiditis, sinusitis) secondary to hematogenous spread from a remote site (especially in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease), after skull trauma or surgery, and, rarely, following meningitis. In at least 15% of cases, no source can be identified.[2]

In recent years, the complex array of etiologic agents that cause brain abscess has become better understood.

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Pathophysiology

Brain abscess is caused by intracranial inflammation with subsequent abscess formation. In at least 15% of cases, the source of the infection is unknown (cryptogenic). Infection may enter the intracranial compartment directly or indirectly via 3 routes.

Contiguous suppurative focus (45-50% of cases)

Direct extension may occur through necrotic areas of osteomyelitis in the posterior wall of the frontal sinus, as well as through the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses.[3] This direct route of intracranial extension is more commonly associated with subacute and chronic otitic infection and mastoiditis than with sinusitis.[4] Frontal or ethmoid sinus infections generally spread to the frontal lobes. Odontogenic infections can spread to the intracranial space via direct extension or a hematogenous route. These infections also generally spread to the frontal lobe.

The frequency of brain abscesses resulting from ear infections has declined in developed countries. However, abscesses complicating sinusitis has not decreased in frequency.[5] Contiguous spread could extend to various sites in the central nervous system, causing cavernous sinus thrombosis; retrograde meningitis; and epidural, subdural, and brain abscess.

The valveless venous network that interconnects the intracranial venous system and the vasculature of the sinus mucosa provides an alternative route of intracranial bacterial entry. Thrombophlebitis originating in the mucosal veins progressively involves the emissary veins of the skull, the dural venous sinuses, the subdural veins, and, finally, the cerebral veins. By this mode, the subdural space may be selectively infected without contamination of the intermediary structure; a subdural empyema can exist without evidence of extradural infection or osteomyelitis.

Intracranial extension of the infection by the venous route is common in paranasal sinus disease, especially in acute exacerbation of chronic inflammation. Chronic otitis media and mastoiditis generally spread to the inferior temporal lobe and cerebellum, causing frontal or ethmoid sinus infection and dental infection of the frontal lobe.[6]

Trauma (10% of cases)

Trauma that causes an open skull fracture allows organisms to seed directly in the brain. Brain abscess can also occur as a complication of intracranial surgery, and foreign body, such as pencil tip, lawn dart, bullets, and shrapnel. Occasionally brain abscess can develop after trauma to the face.

Hematogenous spread from a distant focus (25% of cases)

These abscesses are more commonly multiple and multiloculated and are frequently found in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery. The most common effected lobes (in descending frequency) are the fontal, temporal, parietal, cerebellar, and occipital.[7]

These infections are associated with cyanotic heart disease (mostly in children), pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, endocarditis, chronic lung infections (eg, abscess, empyema, bronchiectasis), skin infections, abdominal and pelvic infections, neutropenia, transplantation,[8] esophageal dilatation, injection drug use,[9] and HIV infection.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Before the emergence of the AIDS pandemic, brain abscesses were estimated to account for 1 per 10,000 hospital admissions, or 1500-2500 cases annually.[2] The prevalence of brain abscess in patients with AIDS is higher, so the overall rate has thus increased.[10] The frequency of fungal brain abscess has increased because of the frequent administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, immunosuppressive agents, and corticosteroids.

International

Brain abscesses are rare in developed countries but are a significant problem in developing countries. The predisposing factors vary in different parts of the world.

Mortality/Morbidity

With the introduction of antimicrobics and the increasing availability of imaging studies, such as CT scanning and MRI, the mortality rate has decreased to less than 5-15%. Rupture of a brain abscess, however, is associated with a high mortality rate (up to 80%).

The frequency of neurological sequelae in persons who survive the infection varies from 20-79% and is predicated on how quickly the diagnosis is reached and antibiotics administered.[11]

Sex

Brain abscesses are more common in males than in females.

Age

Brain abscesses occur more frequently in the first 4 decades of life. Because the main predisposing cause of subdural empyema in young children is bacterial meningitis, a decrease in meningitis due to the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine has reduced the prevalence in young children.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International Immunocompromised Host Society, International Society for Infectious Diseases, Medical Society of the District of Columbia, New York Academy of Sciences, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association, and Surgical Infection Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jeffrey D Band, MD  Professor of Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine; Director, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Corporate Epidemiologist, William Beaumont Hospital; Clinical Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Ronald A Greenfield, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Ronald A Greenfield, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society for Microbiology, Central Society for Clinical Research, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Mycology Society of the Americas, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, and Southwestern Association of Clinical Microbiology

Disclosure: Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Gilead Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ortho McNeil Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Abbott Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Astellas Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Cubist Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Forest Pharmaceuticals Speaking and teaching

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD  Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital

Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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CT scan of a brain abscess.
MRI of a brain abscess.
Brain abscess.
 
 
 
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