5 Things You Need to Know About a Brain Abscess

1. A Smart Infection

A brain abscess occurs as the result of a fungal or bacterial infection. The infection could be in a part of the body close to the brain like the ear or travel through the bloodstream from another part of the body further away. A brain abscess is made up of pus, infected brain cells, white blood cells and other organisms. A mass forms in the brain when a sac engulfs the infected area. This is the body's way of protecting itself, but the mass can cause trauma to brain tissue and prevent blood from reaching the brain properly. A lung infection is the culprit more than any other type of infection.

2. The Headache That Won't Go Away

You may have a variety of symptoms or just a dull headache where the abscess is located. Your headache doesn't abate and actually worsens as time goes on. Symptoms of a brain abscess are changes in vision or personality, loss of coordination or muscle function, seizures and vomiting. You may also experience decreased movement, sensation and speech. Your neck, shoulder or back become stiff or you have a slight fever and the chills.

3. MRI and Other Diagnostic Tests

The various symptoms make detecting a brain abscess hard. Your doctor checks your medical history and ask questions to narrow down a diagnosis. A complete blood count and blood cultures are tests used in diagnosing an abscess. Other tests are EEGs, chest x-rays (lung infection), and a cranial CT scan. An MRI of the head shows how the brain functions and any intracranial pressure. Using a needle, a biopsy of the brain abscess can indicate the source of the infection.

4. To Medicate or Operate

Brain abscesses are treated using medication and/or surgery. Medicine is the preferred treatment if there is more than one abscess or if the abscess is too deep within the brain. When the source is unknown, broad-spectrum antibiotics are given. Your doctor may put you on more than one antibiotic if necessary. When the source of the infection is identified, then the appropriate antifungal or antibiotic is prescribed. Surgery is the best option when the brain abscess doesn't get smaller with medication, the abscess could burst, intracranial pressure gets worse or there is gas in the abscess. Surgery involves removing the abscess or draining it. The location of the mass and its size are determining factors. If the mass can be removed without causing damage, then your surgeon will. If it's too deep or removing it could cause you brain damage, your surgeon can use a needle to open and drain the brain abscess while injecting medication to treat the infection.

5. Complications After Surgery

As with any surgery, there is the possibility of complications. These include seizures, meningitis, permanent issues with vision, movement and speech. There is a chance that the infection may return. During the period following the surgery, you may experience vomiting, nausea or muscle weakness. Please contact your doctor for care.