| Brain Abscess:
(Left) Axial CT scan; (Right) T2-weighted axial MRI. Note the abnormality
in the left posterior parietal/occipital lobe. There appears to be a lesion
in the center with surrounding vasogenic edema. Neurosurgical
aspiration revealed pus. Culture showed Staphylococcus aureus. Intracranial abscesses can occur in the epidural and subdural space as well as in the brain parenchyma. Infection most often occurs from spread through the blood system, or from direct invasion of an infection from an adjacent structure (e.g., sinusitis, otitis, mastoiditis, etc). Patients most often present subacutely over days to a few weeks with fever, headache, and/or focal neurological signs, including seizures. |
Revised
10/23/06
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston