Photo following a surgical drainage of a brain abscess.
An abscess is the collection of pus that has built up within the tissue of a body, for example inside the brain! Brain or intracranial abscess is caused by an infection, when a bacteria or fungi find their way to the brain. intracranial abscesses can originate from infection of contagious structures such as otitis media (ear infection), dental infection, sinusitis and mastoiditis that spreads directly into the brain, or via hematogenous spread from a remote site (like a patient with an infection that causes pneumonia spreading reaching the brain via the blood). Severe head injury can also allow bacteria or fungi to enter the brain.Most of the patients experience a severe headache, mental status changes (confusion), fever, weakness and paralysis. Some may even get seizures. Brain abscess is a medical emergency, this is because the swelling caused by the abscess can disrupt the blood and oxygen supply to the brain. The most optimal treatment given to the patient includes antimicrobial or antifungal therapy and surgical drainage of the abscess. the procedures used are aspiration through a bur hole and complete excision of the abscess after craniotomy (shown in the photo).