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Brain abscesses caused by oral infection
Author(s) -
Li X.,
Tronstad L.,
Olsen I.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
dental traumatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1600-9657
pISSN - 1600-4469
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-9657.1999.tb00763.x
Subject(s) - brain abscess , odontogenic , medicine , abscess , odontogenic infection , lymphatic system , focal infection theory , pathology , surgery
— Brain abscesses are rare but can be life‐threatening infections. Recent progress in microbiological classification and identification has indicated that they are sometimes caused by oral infection and dental treatment. It has been postulated that oral microorganisms may enter the cranium by several pathways: 1) by direct extension, 2) by hematogenous spread, 3) by local lymphatics, and 4) indirectly, by extraoral odontogenic infection. In the direct extension, oral infections spread along the fascial planes. Hematogenous spreading occurs along the facial, angular, ophthalmic, or other veins which lack valves, through the cavernous sinus and into the cranium. Another hematogenous pathway is through the general circulation. Oral bacteria may cause systemic infections, e.g., endocarditis, and then indirectly initiate brain abscess. Microbiota, complications, and the prevention and management of odontogenic brain abscesses are also discussed in this review.