Epidemiology of brain abscess: a retrospective cohort from a neurosurgical tertiary referral centre in England
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Allen, Victoria B
Raslan, Ahmed
Muuli, Ann Maria
Alkhafaji, Noor Yehya
Bechman, Katie
Wijeweera, Kankanange Don Dulnie Saranga
Abdulla, Ali
Baraka, Mohammad
Prasad, Vindhya
Bapat, Anjaneya
Check for full-text access
Issue Date
2025
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Brain abscess is a serious infection with substantial morbidity and mortality. Current data on the etiology, management, and outcomes are limited. This study describes the epidemiology of brain abscess in a large patient cohort. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study of brain abscess at a tertiary referral center. Patients were selected using hospital coding. Demographic, clinical, neurosurgical, and microbiological data were analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 174 patients with brain abscess admitted between 2012 and 2023 (32 pediatric, 142 adults, 66.7% male). Subdural empyema and parenchymal abscess were the most common abscess types in the pediatric and adult cohorts, respectively. A microbiological diagnosis was made in 74.1% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reinforce the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management, particularly in older patients. Molecular diagnostics, including 16S rRNA gene PCR, may play an increasing role in guiding treatment in the future.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Journal
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Volume
12
Issue
11