[Radioisotope scintigraphy in the diagnosis of brain abscesses]

The authors report two cases of brain abscess presenting considerable diagnostic difficulties despite neuroradiological investigations (angiography, pneumoencephalography, ventriculography). Brain scintigraphy was found to be most reliable in the detection and localization of focal intracerebral changes and made possible successful surgical intervention. In both cases the proper diagnosis of abscess was made only during the operation since the clinical syndrome did not suggest this type of lesion. Brain scintigraphy made possible localization of the lesions in the parietal and occipital areas; results of angiography and pneumoencephalography are not quite often reliable if lesions are situated in these areas.