Brain AbscessA brain abscess is a pocket of infection that forms in the brain. Depending on its size and location, a brain abscess may cause headaches, personality changes, one-sided weakness, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, and seizures. Brain abscesses are not common. They may be caused by: - The spread of infection from somewhere else in the head, such as the gums (gingivitis), mouth, nose, ear, or sinus.
- A deep head wound that penetrates the brain.
- Infection that has traveled through the bloodstream from somewhere else in the body.
Treatment includes medicine to fight the infection and decrease swelling in the brain. In some cases a brain abscess requires surgical drainage. Current as of:
October 14, 2016 Author:
Healthwise Staff Medical Review:
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD, MMEd, FRCPC - Emergency Medicine |
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