Multiple pyogenic brain abscesses

Summary Thirty eight patients with multiple pyogenic brain abscesses constituted 11% of all the brain abscesses treated during a 12 year period. Sixty per cent (23) of the patients were in the first two decades of life, including 9 (24%) infants.The clinical presentation was similar to brain abscess in general. 21 patients had altered sensorium at the time of admission. Otogenic brain abscesses were the commonest (26%), followed by those associated with congenital cyanotic heart disease (18%).The abscesses were invariably large in size.The pus was sterile on culture in 11 (29%) patients, while Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism grown in 9 (24%) patients.Aspiration of the pus was required as a life saving measure, to control raised intracranial pressure, in 29 (76%) patients. Twelve (32%) of these patients underwent secondary excision of the abscess capsule.The overall mortality was 32% with failure to control intracranial and systemic infection as the major causes of mortality. Level of consciousness at the time of admission was the most significant factor affecting the outcome.Surgery has a definite therapeutic and life saving role in the management of multiple pyogenic brain abscesses. A systematic treatment plan for multiple abscesses is proposed.