An abscess is a collection of pus in a circumscribed area. Within the brain, abscesses occur as the result of bacterial or fungal infection. This is a serious, life-threatening condition. Rupture of the abscess is associated with a high mortality rate.
The goals of treatment are to reduce intracranial pressure and eliminate the infection. At UPMC, neurosurgeons will remove or drain the abscess to relieve the pressure, and a course of antibiotics will be prescribed.
At UPMC, we take a 360° Approach to treatment when evaluating each patient—looking at their conditions from every direction—to find the path that is least disruptive to the patient's brain, critical nerves, and ability to return to normal functioning. Our neurosurgical team may recommend a combination of surgical and non-surgical approaches to maximize the benefits of surgery while minimizing risks.
Brain abscesses can be identified on imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans.
Your physician will also ask you about your symptoms. These may include:
- headache
- vomiting
- confusion
- fever
- partial paralysis
- difficulty speaking and/or understanding speech
- seizures
Sudden onset of a worsening headache accompanied by rigidity of the neck muscles and intolerance of bright light could be signs that the abscess has ruptured.
Treatment includes both surgery to relieve the pressure in the skull and medication to eliminate the infection. The surgical approach will vary depending upon the location of the abscess.
At UPMC, we take a 360° Approach to treatment when evaluating each patient—looking at their conditions from every direction—to find the path that is least disruptive to the patient's brain, critical nerves, and ability to return to normal functioning. Our neurosurgical team may recommend a combination of surgical and non-surgical approaches to maximize the benefits of surgery while minimizing risks.
