Intracranial abscess

Thirty-one patients with intracranial abscess who were treated at Royal Perth Hospital during the past 10 years are reviewed. There were 17 males and 14 females with a mean age of 39.2 years. Fifteen deaths indicate an over-all mortality of 45%. However, the mortality was 62% in the first five years, and 39% during the latter five years. The clinical features of the patients are reviewed. Factors contributing to the high mortality were severe local and multisystem disease, delay in diagnosis and surgical drainage, and inappropriate or inadequate antibiotic therapy. The use of high doses of antibiotics is suggested and recommendations are made concerning appropriate regimens.