Multiple Brain Abscesses: An Unusual Case

• Published in: Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 175 - 182
• Main Authors: Alireza Vakilian, Habib Farahmand, Jafar Ahmadi Kahnali, Tahereh Eslammanesh, Sajad Rezvan, Saeid Karimi Matloub
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kerman University of Medical Sciences 01.03.2022
• Subjects: confusional state; hematogenous spread; multiple brain abscesses; ring enhancing lesion
• ISSN: 2008-2843
• DOI: 10.22062/jkmu.2022.91897

Brain abscess is a collection of pus with a vascular capsule beginning as a cerebritis at its early stage. The incidence rate of brain abscess is approximately 0.13-0.9 per 100,000 person-year. In 33% of cases, brain abscess is spread hematogenously, mostly with endocarditis (13%), pulmonary infection (8%), or dental infection (5%). Other cases are attributed to recent neurosurgeries (9%) or cranial traumas (14%). Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species are the most common microorganisms causing brain abscesses. The symptoms presented include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, focal neurologic symptoms, lethargy, and seizure. In this study, a 44-year-old coal worker methadone-abuser man who was admitted with the presentation of altered mental status, headache, imbalance, and vertigo with widespread ring-enhancing lesions in his brain caused by multiple brain abscesses due to solitary lung abscess without pulmonary disease symptoms is reported. Altered consciousness and dysphagia were considered as a cause for his aspiration.