Complications of a brain abscess

Condition analysis:
Complications of a brain abscess can include:

-- a reoccurring abscess – seek immediate medical advice if you think there's even a small chance your abscess has reoccurred; this is more common in people with a weakened immune system or cyanotic heart disease

-- brain damage – mild to moderate brain damage often improves with time but severe brain damage is likely to be permanent; brain damage is more of a risk if diagnosis and treatment are delayed

-- epilepsy – where a person has repeated seizures (fits)

-- meningitis – a life-threatening infection of the protective membranes around the brain, which requires urgent treatment; this is more common in children

Instructions:
Treat all brain abscesses with antibiotics (usually initially with ceftriaxone or cefotaxime plus metronidazole if clinicians suspect Bacteroides sp or with vancomycin if they suspect S. aureus), typically followed by CT-guided stereotactic aspiration or surgical drainage.

If abscesses are < 2 cm in diameter, they may be treated with antibiotics alone but must then be monitored periodically with MRI or CT; if abscesses enlarge after being treated with antibiotics, surgical drainage is indicated.