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Peritumoral Citrobacter koseri abscess associated with parasagittal meningioma

Christopher R P Lind1, Kavitha Muthiah, Arnold P L Bok

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia. crplind@free.net.nz

Neurosurgery
|December 13, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This case report details a rare Citrobacter koseri brain abscess linked to an intradural tumor in an adult. Gram-negative bacteria, like Citrobacter, may favor intracranial tumors for abscess formation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Brain abscesses are rare, particularly those associated with intracranial tumors.
  • This report focuses on a unique case of Citrobacter-associated brain abscess in an adult, linked to an intradural tumor.

Observation:

  • A 78-year-old female presented with confusion and personality changes, with CT revealing an extra-axial tumor on the right anterior falx cerebri.
  • Craniotomy yielded pus from the tumor's surface, identifying Citrobacter koseri as the causative agent.

Findings:

  • This is the second reported case of Citrobacter-associated brain abscess in an adult and the first associated with an intradural tumor.
  • Gram-negative bacteria, including Citrobacter, may have a predilection for intracranial tumors, potentially due to endothelial invasiveness.

Implications:

  • The findings suggest that gram-negative bacteria, particularly Citrobacter, may play a role in the pathogenesis of brain abscesses adjacent to intracranial tumors.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering unusual pathogens in brain abscesses, especially in the presence of underlying tumors.

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