Related Experiment Videos

Respiratory foreign bodies and Eikenella corrodens brain abscess in two children

S M Sane1, E N Faerber, K K Belani

  • 1Department of Radiology, Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA.

Pediatric Radiology
|June 26, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Aspirated foreign bodies in the airway, like needles or seeds, were found alongside brain abscesses in two boys. The abscesses were caused by Eikenella corrodens, an oral bacterium, suggesting a link between respiratory foreign bodies and brain infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Brain abscesses are serious infections requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
  • Identifying the causative organism is crucial for effective management.
  • The role of aspiration in pediatric brain abscesses is not fully understood.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases presented with coexisting aspirated foreign bodies and brain abscesses.
  • One child aspirated a metallic needle; the other had sunflower seeds lodged in the bronchus.
  • Both patients had abscesses yielding Eikenella corrodens, an oral gram-negative bacterium.

Findings:

  • Eikenella corrodens was isolated from the brain abscesses in both patients.
  • The presence of aspirated foreign bodies in the respiratory tract was confirmed.
  • This suggests a potential pathway for oral flora to cause brain abscesses.

Implications:

  • Aspiration of foreign bodies should be considered in pediatric brain abscess cases, especially when oral organisms like E. corrodens are involved.
  • Early detection and removal of respiratory foreign bodies may prevent serious complications like brain abscess.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking respiratory aspiration and brain infections in children.

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...