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Omland LH, Nielsen H, Bodilsen J. Update and approach to patients with brain abscess. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024; 37:211-219. [PMID: 38547383 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000001014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The epidemiology of brain abscess has changed in recent decades. Moreover, acute and long-term management remains challenging with high risks of mortality and neurological sequelae. This review describes recent advances in epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of brain abscess. RECENT FINDINGS The incidence of brain abscess is increasing, especially among elderly individuals. Important predisposing conditions include dental and ear-nose-throat infections, immuno-compromise, and previous neurosurgery. Molecular-based diagnostics have improved our understanding of the involved microorganisms and oral cavity bacteria including anaerobes are the predominant pathogens. The diagnosis relies upon a combination of magnetic resonance imaging, neurosurgical aspiration or excision, and careful microbiological examinations. Local source control by aspiration or excision of brain abscess combined with long-term antimicrobials are cornerstones of treatment. Long-term management remains important and should address neurological deficits including epilepsy, timely diagnosis and management of comorbidities, and potential affective disorders. SUMMARY A multidisciplinary approach to acute and long-term management of brain abscess remains crucial and source control of brain abscess by neurosurgery should be pursued whenever possible. Numerous aspects regarding diagnosis and treatment need clarification. Nonetheless, our understanding of this complicated infection is rapidly evolving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Haukali Omland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
| | - Henrik Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jacob Bodilsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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2
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Mohammad R, Maoldomhnaigh CÓ, Crimmins D. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with non-sinogenic Brain infections. Br J Neurosurg 2023:1-9. [PMID: 38149672 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2023.2297877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central Nervous System (CNS) suppurative infections are serious but rare conditions in the paediatric population. Data on long-term neurocognitive and quality of life outcomes in children recovering from these infections are lacking. METHODS A retrospective cohort review of children <16 years with non-sinogenic infections undergoing neurosurgery was conducted. Data for patients admitted to Children's Health Ireland at Temple St between 2008-2021 were analysed for clinical and microbiological profiles. Follow-up reviews evaluating neurological and academic sequelae and quality of life were performed. Categorical variables were analysed for unfavourable outcome with a p < 0.05 significance value. RESULTS Forty patients were included with a mean age of 4.5 years and equal gender distribution. Fever (68%) and vomiting (58%) were the most common presenting complaints. Only fourteen (35%) patients presented with the classic triad of fever, headache, and focal neurological deficit. Meningitis/Encephalitis was the most common cause of suppurative infection (40%). Predisposing factors included congenital heart disease (18%), prematurity (15%) and immunocompromised status (10%). More patients received an initial Burr hole aspiration (73%) than Craniotomy (27%). The re-operation rate was higher in the craniotomy group (45%) compared to the burr hole group (34%), but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.522). Four patients died (10%) including two intra-hospital deaths (5%). Male gender (p = 0.047) and multiple abscesses (p = 0.041) were associated with unfavourable outcome at discharge. Mobility impairment was the most affected determinant of quality of life. CONCLUSION CNS suppurative infections are associated with long-term neurocognitive sequelae in children. Multiple abscesses and male gender are associated with unfavourable GOS on discharge. Children are still left with mobility impairment (25%), personality changes (23%) and intellectual disability (18%) at an average of 5 years. Long-term follow up with multidisciplinary input is required. Further research should focus on evaluating long-term HRQoL in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Retaj Mohammad
- Discipline of Surgery, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Temple St Children's University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Cilian Ó Maoldomhnaigh
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Temple St Children's University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Darach Crimmins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Temple St Children's University Hospital, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Kameda-Smith MM, Ragulojan M, Hart S, Duda TR, MacLean MA, Chainey J, Aminnejad M, Rizzuto M, Bergeron D, Eagles M, Chalil A, Langlois AM, Gariepy C, Persad A, Hasen M, Wang A, Elkaim L, Christie S, Farrokhyar F, Reddy K. A Canadian National Survey of the Neurosurgical Management of Intracranial Abscesses. Can J Neurol Sci 2023; 50:679-686. [PMID: 36184886 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2022.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intracerebral abscess is a life-threatening condition for which there are no current, widely accepted neurosurgical management guidelines. The purpose of this study was to investigate Canadian practice patterns for the medical and surgical management of primary, recurrent, and multiple intracerebral abscesses. METHODS A self-administered, cross-sectional, electronic survey was distributed to active staff and resident members of the Canadian Neurosurgical Society and Canadian Neurosurgery Research Collaborative. Responses between subgroups were analyzed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS In total, 101 respondents (57.7%) completed the survey. The majority (60.0%) were staff neurosurgeons working in an academic, adult care setting (80%). We identified a consensus that abscesses >2.5 cm in diameter should be considered for surgical intervention. The majority of respondents were in favor of excising an intracerebral abscess over performing aspiration if located superficially in non-eloquent cortex (60.4%), located in the posterior fossa (65.4%), or causing mass effect leading to herniation (75.3%). The majority of respondents were in favor of reoperation for recurrent abscesses if measuring greater than 2.5 cm, associated with progressive neurological deterioration, the index operation was an aspiration and did not include resection of the abscess capsule, and if the recurrence occurred despite prior surgery combined with maximal antibiotic therapy. There was no consensus on the use of topical intraoperative antibiotics. CONCLUSION This survey demonstrated heterogeneity in the medical and surgical management of primary, recurrent, and multiple brain abscesses among Canadian neurosurgery attending staff and residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M Kameda-Smith
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | | | - Shannon Hart
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Taylor R Duda
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Mark A MacLean
- Dalhousie University, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, QEII Health Sciences Center, Halifax Infirmary, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jonathan Chainey
- University of Alberta, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Minoo Aminnejad
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Rizzuto
- University of British Columbia, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David Bergeron
- Université de Montreal, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathew Eagles
- University of Calgary, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Foothills Medical Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alan Chalil
- University of Western Ontario, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne-Mare Langlois
- Université de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Charles Gariepy
- Université de Laval, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Amit Persad
- University of Saskatchewan, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Mohammed Hasen
- University of Manitoba, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Health Science Center (HSC), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Alick Wang
- University of Ottawa, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lior Elkaim
- University of McGill, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sean Christie
- Dalhousie University, Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, QEII Health Sciences Center, Halifax Infirmary, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Forough Farrokhyar
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kesava Reddy
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, London, UK
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Iro MA, Goldacre MJ, Goldacre R. Central nervous system abscesses and empyemas in England: epidemiological trends over five decades. J Infect 2023; 86:309-315. [PMID: 36764391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report on population-based epidemiological trends in central nervous system (CNS) abscesses and empyemas in England over five decades. METHODS Trend analyses of age-sex-specific hospital admission and death rates using routinely collected English national hospital discharge records, mortality records, and annual population denominators from 1968 to 2019. RESULTS Hospital admission rates for CNS abscesses and empyemas were stable in England until the late 1980s. In the last two decades of the study period (1999-2019), first-time admissions increased from 1.24 per 100,000 population in 1999 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.35) to 2.86 in 2019 (95% CI 2.72-3.01). Admission rates were highest among infants and older adults, and were higher for males than females. There were small but significant increases in annual mortality rates for CNS abscesses and empyemas over the last two decades of the study period after accounting for population ageing, but mortality remained low at around 0.1-0.2 per 100,000 population. Mortality increased with advancing age; deaths in childhood were extremely rare. Case fatality rates where a relevant diagnosis was recorded as either the underlying or contributing cause were 4.3% and 9.7% respectively. CONCLUSIONS The increase in CNS abscesses and empyemas in England might reflect improved case ascertainment, but the likelihood of a true rise in incidence should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Iro
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
| | - M J Goldacre
- Unit of Health-Care Epidemiology, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - R Goldacre
- Unit of Health-Care Epidemiology, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Rasul FT, Chari A, Iqbal MO, Silva G, Hatcher J, Hartley J, Tahir MZ. The Case for Early Antibiotic Commencement and Source Control in Paediatric Subdural Empyema: A Single-Centre Retrospective Case Series. Pediatr Neurosurg 2022; 57:28-34. [PMID: 34959234 DOI: 10.1159/000521038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subdural empyema is a neurosurgical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. There is a debate between the benefits and risks of starting early antibiotics prior to surgical drainage as this is purported to reduce the rate of microbiological diagnosis. Here, we describe our experience of treating this potentially life-threatening condition, advocating for the early commencement of antibiotics and importance of source control in its treatment. METHODS Retrospective review of a prospectively collected electronic departmental database included all patients who were admitted to our unit with a diagnosis of subdural empyema over an 11-year period (2008-2018). Basic demographic data were collected. Further data pertaining to mode of presentation, surgical approach, causative organism, post-operative antibiotic regime, anti-seizure medications, length of hospital stay, further surgery, and neurological outcomes were extracted. RESULTS Thirty-six children underwent 44 operations for subdural empyema at our institution during the study period. Median age was 11.0 (range 0.2-15.8); 47.2% (17/36) were female. Over time, there was decreasing use of burr holes and increasing use of craniectomy as the index surgery. Using a combination of extended culture and polymerase chain reaction, a microbiological diagnosis was achieved in all 36 cases; the commonest causative microorganism was of the Streptococcus anginosus group of bacteria. Seven patients underwent repeat surgery, and 4 patients underwent a concurrent ENT procedure. No risk factors were significant in predicting the likelihood of re-operation (location of subdural empyema, age, index surgery type, inflammatory markers, concurrent ENT procedure, and microorganism) although it was notable that none of the patients undergoing a concurrent ENT procedure underwent repeat surgery (p = 0.29). Median length of stay was 12 days (range 3-74), and there were no inpatient or procedure-related mortalities. Clinical outcomes were good with 94.4% (34/36) categorized as modified Rankin Scale 0-3 at discharge and there were 2 cranioplasty-related complications. CONCLUSIONS We observed an evolution of practice from limited surgical approaches towards more extensive index surgery over the study period. Given that a microorganism was isolated in all cases using a comprehensive approach, initiation of antibiotic therapy should not be delayed on presentation. Concurrent ENT surgery may be an important factor in providing aggressive source control thereby reducing the need for repeat surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahid Tariq Rasul
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aswin Chari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Omar Iqbal
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geeth Silva
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Hatcher
- Department of Microbiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Hartley
- Department of Microbiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Zubair Tahir
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ooi SZY, Sichimba D, Dalle DU, Higginbotham G, Takoutsing BD, Bankole NDA, Egiz A, Kotecha J, de Koning R, Nguembu S, Zolo Y, Dokponou YCH, Chilawa S, Bandyopadhyay S, Kanmounye US. Management and Outcomes of Paediatric Intracranial Suppurations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. Front Surg 2021; 8:690895. [PMID: 34466410 PMCID: PMC8403063 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.690895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Intracranial suppurations account for a significant proportion of intracranial masses in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly among children. The development of better imaging equipment, antibiotics, and surgical techniques has enabled significant progress in detecting and treating intracranial abscesses. However, it is unclear whether these advances are accessible and utilised by LMICs. In this review, we aimed to describe the landscape of paediatric intracranial suppurations in LMICs. Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework. MEDLINE, EMBASE, WHO Global Index Medicus, AJOL and Google scholar were searched for relevant articles from database inception to January 18th, 2021. Publications in English and French were included. Results: Of the 1,011 records identified, 75 were included. The studies, on average, included 18.8 (95% CI = 8.4-29.1) children (mean age: 8.2 years). Most children were male (62.2%, 95% CI = 28.7-95.7%). Intracranial suppurations were most commonly (46.5%) located in the supratentorial brain parenchyma. The most prevalent causative mechanism was otitis (37.4%) with streptococcus species being the most common causative organism (19.4%). CT scan (71.2%) was most commonly used as a diagnostic tool and antibiotics were given to all patients. Symptoms resolved in 23.7% and improved in 15.3% of patients. The morbidity rate was 6.9%, 18.8% of patients were readmitted, and the mortality rate was 11.0%. Conclusion: Most intracranial suppurations were complications of preventable infections and despite MRI being the gold standard for detecting intracranial suppurations, CT scans were mostly used in LMICs. These differences are likely a consequence of inequities in healthcare and have resulted in a high mortality rate in LMICs.
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