[2 cases of brain abscess as a complication of direct cranial traction]

Two cases of brain abscess as a complication of direct cranial traction have been presented. In the first case traction was used in the treatment of aneurysmatic cyst of the cervical spine, in the second case for cervical spine trauma. In the first case development of abscess was related with local infection in the site of localization of traction, and in the second case, most probably, with direct contamination of the brain tissue in the site of dura mater perforation. In both cases abscess was treated surgically; in the first case, a female patient was discharged with severe neurological deficit and in the second case, the male patient recovered without neurological deficit.