Causes of a brain abscess

Condition analysis:
There are three main ways a brain abscess can develop. These are:
-- man infection in another part of the skull – such as an ear infection, sinusitis or dental abscess, which can spread directly into the brain
-- an infection in another part of the body – for example, the infection that causes pneumonia spreading into the brain via the blood
-- trauma, such as a severe head injury – that cracks open the skull, allowing bacteria or fungi to enter the brain

However, in some cases, the source of the infection remains unknown.

Instructions:
Antimicrobial treatment for a brain abscess is generally long (6-8 wk) because of the prolonged time needed for brain tissue to repair and close abscess space. The United Kingdom treatment guidelines advocate 4-6 weeks if the abscess has been drained or removed and 6-8 weeks if drainage occurred. The antimicrobial course is through an intravenous route. There is no evidence that transition to oral therapy is appropriate. Furthermore, the concentrations of most oral antibiotics (except for metronidazole, rifampin, linezolid, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) in the abscess cavity would be inadequate to eradicate the pathogens.