Brain Abscess From Dental Bacteria: A Case Report

A brain abscess (BA) is a purulent infection of the central nervous system and can be associated with dental procedures. The paper presents a case of a patient diagnosed with an odontogenic BA. On admission, the patient was awake, alert, and oriented (Glasgow Coma Scale 15). The patient reported undergoing excision and drainage of an abscess in the submandibular area three years earlier. An MRI of the head showed a mass lesion (34x19x25 mm) located in the right parieto-occipital region, and an abscess was suspected. During the procedure, puncture and evacuation of the contents of the abscess in the right parieto-occipital area were performed. Oral microorganisms, including Streptococcus constellatus and Fusobacterium gonidiaformans, were isolated from the brain pus. A thorough radiographic and dental examination should be conducted during hospitalization in these patients. Always evaluate for periapical pathology in unexplained BAs, even in the absence of oral symptoms.