Otogenic brain abscesses in a patient sample of the otolaryngology clinic of the Poznan Medical Academy 1953-1984

Between 1953-1984 we treated 64 otogenic brain abscesses (44 of the temporal lobe and 20 of the cerebellum). This material included 2 cerebral abscesses and 1 cerebellum abscess in children. In 3 cases the abscess was a complication of acute otitis media. 84% of patients with a temporal lobe abscess and 85% with a cerebellar abscess recovered. Treatment consisted of removal of the inflammatory process in the middle or inner ear with subsequent puncture of the abscess and replacement of the pus by antibiotic solution. Otologic, neurologic, ophthalmolgic, EEG and CT examinations were performed on 50 patients. Residual signs of epilepsy were found in 6 patients. Forty one patients resumed work or study. The merit of computer tomography (CT) in diagnosing brain abscesses is emphasized. Since CT has been used a successful outcome has been obtained in 8 cases and a fatal result in 1.