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Thalamic abscess caused by a rare pathogen: streptococcus constellatus

Özgür Şenol1, Hikmet Turan Süslü1, Necati Tatarlı1

  • 1Dr.Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Ist anbul, Turkey.

The Pan African Medical Journal
|November 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This case report highlights a rare brain abscess caused by Streptococcus constellatus in the thalamus. The patient, a young male with head trauma and malnutrition, was successfully treated with aspiration and antibiotics.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Streptococcus constellatus is a commensal bacterium found in the oropharynx, urogenital, and intestinal tracts.
  • While typically harmless, it can cause infections in immunocompromised or predisposed individuals.
  • Brain abscesses are serious infections, with thalamic involvement being exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A 25-year-old male presented with a left-sided thalamic abscess.
  • The patient had a history of head trauma from shrapnel injury and was malnourished.
  • The abscess was attributed to Streptococcus constellatus, a pathogen rarely implicated in brain abscesses.

Findings:

  • The case details a rare instance of thalamic brain abscess caused by Streptococcus constellatus.
  • This presentation is significant due to the unusual localization and causative agent.
  • Successful treatment involved stereotactic aspiration and a course of antibiotics.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of Streptococcus constellatus pathogenicity, particularly in deep brain structures.
  • It underscores the importance of considering rare pathogens in brain abscesses, especially in patients with specific risk factors.
  • The successful management highlights the efficacy of stereotactic aspiration and targeted antibiotherapy for such rare presentations.
Keywords:
Thalamic abscessmalnourishmentstereotactic aspirationstreptococcus constellatus

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