[Brain abscesses. Clinical experience in 27 cases studied by computed tomography]

The prognosis of patients with cerebral abscess depends on an early and accurate diagnosis and its delay carries a high mortality. The CT is at present the diagnostic method of choice for cerebral abscess, because it identifies and localizes precisely the lesion and it allows, based on its morphological characteristic, to select the appropriate time for surgery, and a correct follow up can be easily done. Our experience with 27 cases of cerebral abscess studied by CT is analized and discussed. The mortality rate in our experience was 15%. This is still too high, but we hope and believe it can be reduced with the regular use of CT, appropriate bacteriological studies, and accurate therapeutical management.