Brain Abscesses in Children: Results of 24 Children From a Reference Center in Central Anatolia, Turkey

CANPOLAT M., Ceylan O., PER H., Koc G., TÜMTÜRK A., KUMANDAŞ S., ...More

JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY, vol.30, no.4, pp.458-467, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0883073814549247
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.458-467
  • Keywords: brain abscess, child, clinical and radiologic features, DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT, TUMORS, MRI, DISCRIMINATION, EPIDEMIOLOGY, CHILDHOOD, FEATURES
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Childhood brain abscesses are a rare and potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent diagnosis and treatment. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical and radiologic findings of 24 (7 girl, 17 boys) cases with brain abscess. Mean age was 92.98 +/- 68.04 months. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea-vomiting (45.8%) and headache (41.7%). Brain abscess was most commonly located in the frontal region. Diffusion restriction was determined in 78.4% of lesions. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient value in these lesions was 0.511 +/- 0.23 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s. Cultures were sterile in 40% of cases. Antimicrobial therapy was given to only 16.7% of cases. Predisposing factors were identified in 91.6% of cases (congenital heart disease in 20.8% and immunosuppression in 20.8%). Mortality level was 12.5%. In conclusion, immunocompromised states, and congenital heart disease have become an important predisposing factor for brain abscesses. Effective and prompt management should ensure better outcome in childhood.