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| Case
of the Month |
by Dr
Noreen Norfaraheen Lee Abdullah
MD (UKM),
MMed Radiology (UKM), AM(Mal)
Answer to Case Of the Month
Multiple Brain Abscesses
Discussion of Findings
There were two well-defined hypodense lesions
with rim enhancement in the left fronto-parietal region and another lesion at
the right occipital region. The lesions were associated with significant
perilesional edema. The lesions in the left fronto-parietal region measured 4.3
cm x 4.7 cm, and the right occipital region was 2.5 cm x 3.7cm in size. This was
associated with mass effect and midline shift to the right side and minimal
subfalcine herniation. The right occipital horn of the lateral ventricle was
displaced upwards due to mass effect from the right occipital lesion. The
lateral ventricles and basal cisterns were not dilated.
The conclusion was multiple brain abscesses.
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Brain Abscess |
Brain abscess is also known as
cerebral infection. Most of the infections are acquired due to contiguous spread
from mastoiditis, sinusitis or facial infections. Occasionally it is due to the
septic emboli from the heart when the child has a left to right shunt. Sometimes
it may be secondary to hematogenous spread, penetrating trauma or surgery.
Causative organisms may be viral, bacterial or fungal.
Cerebral infection is divided to three stages. The earliest stage is the
encephalitis stage, which then on progresses to cerebritis and then to the
development of the ill defined capsule, which is better known as the abscess
formation. The capsule may be thick and the contents within decrease in
attenuation indicating a well-formed abscess. Ring enhancement is the typical
finding on CT or MRI scans. Progressive destruction or liquefaction necrosis of
cerebral tissue results in diffuse cystic encephalomalacia.
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| About
the Author |
Dr Noreen, a Consultant
Radiologist is currently with the Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian,
Kelantan, Malaysia.
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Last Updated:
Tuesday, 01 January 2008 |
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