A rare complication of esophageal dilatation: Brain abscess

Brain abscess is an uncommon serious disease, which has been reported as a rare complication of repeated esophageal dilations; however, routine periprocedural antibiotic prophylaxis is not currently recommended. Herein, we present a brain abscess that developed after esophageal dilatation for the treatment of induced caustic esophageal strictures. The clinical presentation is non-specific, the most reported signs are high fever and neurologic findings. Cases have been reported in the literature in adult and pediatric patients. Cranial imaging is essential for diagnosis, drainage and antibiotics are essential in its treatment. Clinical improvement was achieved with antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage. This serious complication should be kept in mind when treatment of corrosive strictures though repeated esophageal dilatation is planned and prophylaxis should be considered in selected patients.