Brain abscess – Diagnosis and management

Brain abscess is relatively uncommon problem in general practice yet it is important to be aware of the problem and consider it as one of the differential diagnoses in an individual who presents with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure (especially if there are predisposing factors). Brain abscess is a potentially life-threatening illness and the treatment is almost always involves surgical intervention along with medical therapy. It is therefore essential to know when to suspect a brain abscess, when to refer and how to manage a patient before referral to a center with neurosurgical facilities. Appropriate treatment results in a cure in more than 90% of cases. Two case descriptions are given below. Try to answer the questions before you proceed to an overview on the diagnosis and management of brain abscess.