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Brain Abscess in Children: A Rare but Serious Infection

Zumrut Sahbudak Bal1, Cenk Eraslan1, Elif Bolat1

  • 11 Medical School of Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.

Clinical Pediatrics
|October 4, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric brain abscesses require prompt treatment. This study found a high survival rate (94.4%) in children, though nearly 28% experienced long-term neurological issues, emphasizing appropriate antibiotic use for infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neurosurgery

Background:

  • Brain abscess is a rare but serious condition in children.
  • Prompt medical and/or surgical intervention is crucial for favorable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation, management strategies, and outcomes of pediatric brain abscesses.
  • To identify common pathogens and inform empirical antibiotic treatment choices.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 18 pediatric patients (median age 48 months) with brain abscesses.
  • Analysis of clinical, radiological features, treatment interventions, and patient outcomes.
  • Data collected from a tertiary pediatric infectious disease department (December 2010 - January 2017).

Main Results:

  • The most common site was the frontal lobe (33.3%).
  • Surgical intervention included craniotomy (5.5%) and burr hole aspiration (77.7%).
  • A high survival rate of 94.4% was observed, with 27.7% experiencing long-term neurological sequelae.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of pediatric brain abscesses involves a combination of medical and surgical approaches.
  • Knowledge of local pathogens and resistance patterns is essential for selecting appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy.
  • Upper respiratory tract infections remain a predominant source, necessitating judicious antibiotic treatment for these conditions.

Keywords:
brain abscesschildintracranial suppuration

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