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The management of cerebellar abscess since the introduction of CT scanning

H L Brydon1, C Hardwidge

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.

British Journal of Neurosurgery
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Surgical posterior fossa infections, including cerebellar abscesses, were treated with aspiration or excision. Both methods showed similar outcomes, with burr hole aspiration and CT scans proving effective for cerebellar abscess management.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Posterior fossa surgical infections are serious conditions.
  • Cerebellar abscesses and subdural empyemas present significant management challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical features, etiology, and outcomes of posterior fossa infections.
  • To compare the efficacy of aspiration versus excision in treating cerebellar abscesses.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 16 patients with posterior fossa surgical infections.
  • Analysis of presenting features, etiology, radiology, and bacteriology.
  • Comparison of treatment outcomes between aspiration and excision methods.

Main Results:

  • 14 patients had cerebellar abscesses, one subdural empyema, and one combined infection.
  • No significant difference in outcomes was found between aspiration and excision.
  • Overall mortality was 19%, reduced to 13% for parenchymal cerebellar abscesses.

Conclusions:

  • Burr hole aspiration with regular CT monitoring is a satisfactory treatment for cerebellar abscess.
  • Both aspiration and excision are viable treatment options for posterior fossa infections.

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