Positive indium-111 leukocyte scan in Nocardia brain abscess

We report a case of clinically unsuspected nocardia brain abscess detected by 111In-labeled autologous leukocytes. Clinical and computed tomographic findings supported the diagnosis of primary or metastatic tumor and the patient was treated with dexamethasone for 30 days prior to the leukocyte scan. Labeled leukocytes may provide a sensitive discriminator for brain abscess despite previous therapy with steroids.