Management of brain abscesses. II: Antibiotics and computed tomography

The discovery of the sulphonamides in 1935 was followed by the dramatic introduction of penicillin, first used in the management of a brain abscess in 1942 by J.B. Pennybacker of Oxford. He integrated antimicrobial drugs in a system of diagnosis, local and systemic antibiotics, and operative treatment, which was widely accepted. However, the mortality from brain abscess remained high until the advent of computerized tomography in 1973 made diagnosis safe and easy. During the next two decades, Pennybacker’s system of management was modified, and applied with better results to all forms of brain abscess, including opportunistic infections associated with impaired immunity. These modifications have been studied historically in the management of 140 patients with brain abscesses treated in South Australia in the years 1955-95.