If untreated, a brain abscess is almost always deadly. With treatment, the death rate is about 10 - 30%. The earlier treatment is received, the better.

Some patients may have long-term neurological problems after surgery.

• Brain damage
• Meningitis that is severe and life threatening
• Return (recurrence) of infection
• Seizures

Go to a hospital emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of a brain abscess.

Images

Amebic brain abscess

Brain

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Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)