Brain abscess following insertion of skull traction

A case of brain abscess developing 2 weeks after insertion of skull tongs is reported. The abscess was treated with aspiration and appropriate antibiotic therapy and its complete resolution was confirmed by CT scan. The pathogenesis, through retrograde spread of superficial infection to durocortical veins, is discussed in the light of serial CT scans at different stages of formation and treatment of the abscess.     

Brain abscess following intracerebral haemorrhage

We report two cases of brain abscess, which developed at the site of an intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in a 75-year-old man and a 32-year-old-man. The patients recovered after surgical treatment and systemic antibiotic therapy. The route of infection could not be detected in either case. The literature contains only 13 reported cases of brain abscess as a complication of ICH. Although the interval from initial ICH to abscess formation ranged from 4 to 20 weeks, almost all patients had episodes of high fever, indicating the presence of systemic infection and bacterial seeding, 0-14 days after the onset of their ICH. Therefore, abscess formation appears to be caused by haematogenous seeding of infection in patients with ICH. Abscess formation should be considered when a patient deteriorates clinically with a febrile episode after an ICH.     

Brain abscess in a neonate: an unusual presentation

Background Neonatal brain abscesses are very rare and their clinical presentation is specific for this age group. They usually occur as a complication of bacterial meningitis or septicemia. They are most often caused by gram-negative organisms, and mortality and morbidity are still significant in this particular group of patients in spite of antibiotics and modern radiological tools. Methods We report an unusual case of a multiloculated brain abscess in a term neonate caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The abscess developed in the absence of trauma, prior surgery, cyanotic heart disease, mother’s disease, or immune defect. The onset of infection in this case was not clear and image features mimicked a brain tumor in the initial evaluation. The infant was successfully treated by primary surgical excision of the lesion and a 6-week total course of intravenous antibiotics. Conclusion The interest of this case lies in the rarity of the causative organism and the atypical features of clinical and neurological images in a term neonate.     

Primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood presenting as bilateral optic neuritis

Inroduction Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a very rare condition in pediatric patients.Case report We describe the case of a 10-year old girl who presented with acute bilateral vision impairment. At the time of presentation, the only positive finding was optic disk swelling, and the brain MRI scan was normal. Seventeen months later, she developed a large-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the brain, with no evidence of neoplasia elsewhere. Immunodeficiencies and Epstein–Barr virus infection could not be demonstrated. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of cyclophosphamide, etoposide, vincristine, methotrexate, and cytarabine, plus intrathecal chemotherapy. Craneospinal irradiation was not used.Outcome The patient’s condition is still in remission 68 months after completing the treatment.Conclusion This case is the only non-Hodgkin lymphoma with primary central nervous system location treated in our institution in the last 10 years and represents less than 0.5% of our non-Hodgkin lymphoma series. Due to its rare occurrence, not much is known about the clinical features and treatment outcome of primary central nervous system lymphoma in pediatric patients.     

Nonenhancing Brain Metastases

The hallmark radiological finding in metastatic brain disease is multiple enhancing lesions. We report a case of metastatic lung cancer to the brain with a lack of contrast enhancement. We believe that this unusual finding is due to inadvertent “treatment” of the metastases with the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab (Avastin).     

Candida tropicalis brain abscess in a neonate: An emerging nosocomial menace

Fungi are a relatively uncommon cause of brain abscess in neonates and early infancy. They are usually associated with predisposing factors like prematurity, low birth weight, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. Candida tropicalis (C. tropicalis) is rapidly emerging as a nosocomial threat in the neonatal intensive care settings. This case report describes a neonate with C. tropicalis brain abscess who was diagnosed early and managed aggressively with a favorable outcome. Inadvertent use of intravenous antibiotics can have serious complications such as invasive fungal infection. Correct microbiological diagnosis is the key to successful treatment of deep-seated pyogenic infection. Fungal etiology should always be studied in relevant clinical settings.     

Potential neuroprotective strategies for perinatal infection and inflammation

Preterm born infants have high rates of brain injury, leading to motor and neurocognitive problems in later life. Infection and resulting inflammation of the fetus and newborn are highly associated with these disabilities. However, there are no established neuroprotective therapies. Microglial activation and expression of many cytokines play a key role in normal brain function and development, as well as being deleterious. Thus, treatment must achieve a delicate balance between possible beneficial and harmful effects. In this review, we discuss potential neuroprotective strategies targeting systemic infection or the resulting systemic and central inflammatory responses. We highlight the central importance of timing of treatment and the critical lack of studies of delayed treatment of infection/inflammation.     

Brain stem abscesses in childhood

Background Solitary brain stem abscess is a rare condition with high mortality and morbidity. These lesions were considered to be invariably fatal before 1974 when advanced diagnostic tools were not available. Recently, the diagnosis and prognosis of brain stem abscesses have been modified by the introduction of modern radiological tools, and several patients with a favorable outcome have been reported since then. Because the pons is the most common site of the abscesses, involvement of the sixth and seventh nerves is frequent. The midbrain is the second most likely location, and medullary abscesses are distinctly rare. Treatment of a brain stem abscess includes medical therapy alone, open microsurgical intervention, or stereotactic aspiration.Case report We report a case of a 7-year-old girl with a solitary brain stem abscess. Her neurological examination revealed involvement of the cranial nerves and pyramidal tracts. Microsurgical exposure and aspiration of the abscess resulted in rapid improvement in her neurological condition and radiological resolution of the lesion. We discuss this uncommon case to draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis and adequate treatment, and we review the relevant literature.     

The use of computed tomography-guided stereotactic techniques in the treatment of brain stem abscesses

A case of a brain stem abscess that was successfully treated using CT guided stereotaxy together with antibiotic therapy is presented. The literature is reviewed and the role of stereotaxy in the treatment of brain stem abscess is discussed.     

Successful treatment of tuberculous brain abscess

Summary A case of tuberculous brain abscess occurred in spite of 4 months' treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with a triple drug anti-tuberculous regimen. Surgical removal and further chemotherapy were successful.     

Successful treatment with voriconazole of fungal cerebral abscess due to Cladophialophora bantiana

We report the first successfully treated case of Cladophialophora bantiana cerebral abscess with the relatively new antifungal agent voriconazole. Infection with this organism is often fatal. A 64-year-old man presented to our institution with progressive neurologic symptoms due to a brain abscess. A stereotactic brain biopsy confirmed the pathogen as C. bantiana. We discuss the successful treatment of this patient, and review the pharmacological actions of voriconazole and the literature on the treatment of this organism. Previously considered a rare cause of cerebral abscess, C. bantiana fungal infections have become more common in recent years. Aggressive and continuous treatment with voriconazole may offer an improved chance of survival in these patients.     

Management of brain abscesses. I: Drainage and antiseptics

Listerian antisepsis opened the way to surgical treatment of brain abscesses, at a time when advances in neurology made it possible to localize many of these lethal infections. William Macewen, a pupil of Joseph Lister, published in 1893 a remarkable monograph on pyogenic diseases of the brain and spinal cord. He recognized that these were caused by bacterial infection, and reported a series of 20 cerebral and cerebellar abscesses, treated by surgical drainage with antiseptic precautions. His mortality was amazingly low, but later surgeons were less successful. The causes of failure included inability to control microbial infection of the brain. Various chemical antiseptics and also serotherapy were tried, but mortality remained very high.     

Epidermoid cyst of the brain stem symptomatic in childhood

Background Epidermoid cysts may remain asymptomatic for a long period of time due to their slowly growing pattern corresponding with the normal human skin turnover time and due to soft and light cyst content. They do not cause compression of neural and vascular structures initially that is why almost all of the cases in the literature are diagnosed during adulthood.Methods We report here an epidermoid cyst in childhood, which was located in the medulla oblongata, unusually and atypically with liquefied cyst content. The liquefaction may occur due to an intrauterine or early childhood infection. The reported case also suffered previously a severe respiratory infection. Although the cyst is located in and around a highly eloquent neural area, plasticity of the brain stem prevented neurological deterioration due to this very slow growing extraaxial mass lesion. The ordinary cyst content found in the center of the cyst cavity during the operation suggested that the same ordinary material, which was previously at the periphery, ran to get liquefied in time.Conclusion We suggest that the symptoms of this present case appeared very early due to liquefaction of the cyst content with compression and displacement of the brain stem caudally. The recent infection process may predispose the pathological condition.     

Circadian variation of brain histamine in goldfish

Teleosts may make an excellent model to study brain histamine function. Fishes are phylogenetically closer to the basic vertebrate blueprint than higher vertebrates. They appear to have a simpler histaminergic system in terms of central nervous system distribution and, contrary to higher vertebrates, brain histamine appears to be strictly neuronal. In this preliminary study, we examined circadian variation of brain histamine in goldfish, Carassius auratus, as this neurotransmitter correlates with circadian behavior of some mammals. Two groups of juvenile goldfish were held in 24 60L aquaria, six fish per aquarium, on reversed photoperiods; L:D 12:12 with light onset either at 0700 or 1900h. Fish were sampled every 4h. At a sampling time, all the fish in a tank were taken; each sampling, for both groups, was done in replicate. Brain histamine was determined by immunoassay. There was a significant circadian variation in histamine on both photoperiod regimes with the highest levels during the photophase. These results support the hypothesis of an early phylogenic role for histamine in vertebrate circadian physiology.     

尼莫通在原发性脑干损伤中的应用

目的探讨尼莫通在原发性脑干损伤中的治疗作用。方法总结我院自１９９０年以来５５例原发性脑干损伤的治疗经验，其中３５例按常规综合治疗，２０例采用尼莫通等综合治疗。结果３５例按常规综合治疗的昏迷时间平均２８天，死亡１４例，恢复良好１１例，中残５例，重残２例，植物生存１例；按尼莫通等综合治疗的昏迷时间平均２３天，死亡５例，恢复良好１０例，中残３例，重残１例，植物生存１例。结论尼莫通在原发性脑干损伤的治疗中能降低死亡率，缩短昏迷时间，减少残存率     

18例瘤型脑脓肿的临床特点及鉴别诊断

目的 总结瘤型脑脓肿的临床特点并探讨其诊断方法.方法 回顾性分析中山大学肿瘤防治中心神经外科自2000年10月至2007年2月间收治的18例瘤型脑脓肿患者的临床资料,并随访其术后恢复情况.结果 共有18例腩脓肿在外院诊断为肿瘤,其中诊为胶质瘤11例,转移瘤7例.冬春季节发病16例.18例均未发现原发性感染灶,2例入院前1月有发热病史.入院后白细胞总数10.1×109/L～13.7×109/L者7例,其中6例中性粒细胞比率80.8%～90.5%,白细胞总数正常11例.入院后患者均行MRI检查,14例诊为腩脓肿,2例诊为转移瘤,诊为胶质瘤及寄生虫病各一例.细菌培养结果 为无菌生长9例,革兰阳性菌4例,链球菌3例,表皮葡萄球菌、肺炎克雷伯菌各一例.手术切除12例,穿刺引流6例.术后随访1～6年,治愈17例,好转1例.结论瘤型脑脓肿常发生于冬春季节,临床表现不典型,MRI扫描是其最有价值的辅助榆查方法 .在脑脓肿与坏死囊变脑肿瘤的鉴别诊断中,MRS和DWI足常规MRI扫描的重要补充.     

Delayed cerebral pseudo-tumoral radionecrosis following scalp-tumour irradiation. Case report and review of literature

Summary A case of delayed radionecrosis of the brain is reported, following irradiation of a scalp dermatofibrosarcoma. Signs and symptoms were those of an intracranial neoplasm and appeared 5 years after an irradiation dosage of 1890 rets. Twenty-seven similar cases were gathered from a survey of the literature. Surgical excision was the treatment of choice and led to cure or improvement in 20 cases. Analysis of doses and fractionation revealed excessive irradiation in all but one of the cases.     

Successful management of intraventricular rupture of pyogenic brain abscess (IVROBA): Systematic review and illustrative case

ObjectivesIntraventricular rupture of brain abscess (IVROBA) is one of the most dreaded complications of pyogenic brain abscess due to its high mortality rate. Because of its relative infrequency and poor outcome, the optimal management of this condition remains to be determined.Patients and MethodsWe report the case of a 5-year old female with a presumptive diagnosis of IVROBA who was discharged with good neurologic outcome after completing intravenous antibiotic treatment and undergoing insertion of an external ventricular drain (EVD) and later, a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. We also performed a systematic review of the SCOPUS and PubMed databases for case reports and series documenting patients who survived after undergoing treatment for IVROBA.ResultsA total of 24 cases of IVROBA survivors were reported in the literature, including the present case. The median age was 48.5 years (range: 5–71), with a male predilection (3:1). The most common location of the brain abscesses was temporal while the most common route of spread was hematogenous. Surgery was performed in 92% of cases, with EVD being the most common surgical procedure. Twenty nine percent of cases required a VP shunt. The duration of systemic antibiotic treatment ranged from 31 to 180 days (median: 56 days) while intraventricular antibiotics were given for 8–42 days (median: 14 days).ConclusionThe management of IVROBA in this series varied widely, with surgery playing an important role. Although IVROBA is still a devastating complication of intracranial abscess, a good neurologic outcome may still be possible with treatment.     

脑包虫病的诊断和治疗

目的 探讨脑包虫病的临床表现、诊断及治疗方法.方法 回顾1990年至2008年我院收治19例脑包虫病患者的病例资料,并报道我院在阿勒泰地区人民医院诊治的1例罕见脑包虫病.结果 20例脑包虫患者均行手术全切除,短期随访无复发.结论 脑包虫病临床及影像学可有多种表现,术前鉴别诊断有助于治疗方案包括手术策略的制定,术中完整摘除可以根治,预后良好.     

综合性卒中单元治疗115例脑出血患者的疗效观察

目的探讨综合性卒中单元对脑出血患者预后的影响。方法随机选择2002-06～2004-12入住我院神经科常规病房的56例脑出血患者为对照组,选择2005-01～2007-07入住我院综合性卒中单元的59例脑出血患者为病例组,比较2组患者相关临床指标。结果2组患者的中国卒中量表、日常生活能力量表、改良Rankin量表评分值差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),住院期间的感染率及病死率也有明显差别。结论脑出血患者可从综合性卒中单元的管理模式中取得更好疗效。