brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Abscess of the Brain
Introduction
A brain abscess is a pocket of pus in the brain. An abscess may form in the brain when bacteria from an infection elsewhere in the head or in the bloodstream or from a wound enter the brain. Headache, sleepiness, nausea, weakness on one side of the body, or seizures may result. Imaging of the head is required. Antibiotics are given, usually followed by drainage of the abscess with a needle or surgery to remove it. (See also Overview of Brain Infections .) Brain abscesses are fairly uncommon. Fluid collects in the tissue around a brain abscess. As a result, the surrounding brain tissue swells, and pressure within the skull increases. The larger the abscess, the greater the swelling and the pressure. If the abscess leaks or breaks and pus enters the cerebrospinal fluid (which flows through the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord), acute meningitis results. 