Antimicrobial management of intracranial abscess

Forty-four patients were treated over eight years with intracranial abscess. The bacterial flora of these abscesses was determined in 34 cases and 92 organisms of 54 different species were isolated. Presentation and treatment details were standard and are not covered in depth. The most common organisms isolated were aerobic streptococci and Bacteroides species. All organisms isolated were sensitive to chloramphenicol. An empirical regime of penicillin and chloramphenicol proved satisfactory in all cases after culture. The drug of choice could usually be selected from penicillin, chloramphenicol, or metronidazole. Antibiotics were usually continued for 6-8 weeks following diagnosis.