BRAIN ABSCESS;

Objective: To evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, sources of infection, surgical management outcome andmicroorganisms involved in the brain abscess in our locality. Period & Setting: This study was carried out in the department ofNeurosurgery, Aseer Central Hospital Abha, Southern Province, KSA from 1426 H – 1433 H (2005-2012 AD). Material and Methods: Atotal of 30 children aged less than 15 years were reviewed. There were 15 males and 15 females. The mean age of presentation was5.6±4.4 years. Results: Typically patients presented with fever, vomiting, headache and seizures. The predisposing conditions foundwere cyanotic congenital heart disease in 11 (37%) of children, meningitis in 6 (20%), septicemia in 7 (23%) and no underlying causewas found in 5 (17%) children. The most common microbe in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease was of the Streptococcusmilleri group (52%). All abscesses were large, more than 2 cm in diameter and were aspirated surgically. Excision was performed in 6children. Five children expired, one due to a intracranial bleeding and the others due to severe cerebral edema and tentorial herniation.Complications were seen in 20 children and 16 had sequelae, hemiparesis in 11 and seizure disorder in 5. Conclusions: It is concludedfrom the study that delayed surgical drainage has high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis with CT scan, appropriate antibiotic therapy andcomplete aspiration of abscess reduced the mortality and neurological deficits from brain abscess.