Abscess - brain; Cerebral abscess; CNS abscess
Symptoms
Symptoms may develop slowly, over a period of 2 weeks, or they may develop suddenly. They may include:
- Headache
- Stiff neck, shoulders, or back
- Aching of neck, shoulders, or back
- Vomiting
-
Changes in mental status -
Drowsiness -
Confusion - Inattention
- Irritability
- Slow thought processes
- Decreasing responsiveness
- Eventual
coma
-
-
Seizures - Fever and chills
- Vision changes
- Loss of muscle function
-
Decreased sensation - Decreased movement
- Weakness
-
Decreased speech (aphasia) - Other language difficulties
-
Loss of coordination
Signs and tests
A neurological exam will usually reveal
Tests to diagnose a brain abscess may include:
-
CBC -
Blood cultures . -
Chest x-ray -
EEG -
Cranial CT scan -
MRI of head
A needle biopsy is usually performed to identify the infecting organism.


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