Brain abscess

Abscess - brain; Cerebral abscess; CNS abscess

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

A neurological exam will usually reveal increased intracranial pressure and problems with brain function.

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.