Brain abscess physical examination: Difference between revisions
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* Signs of increased [[ICP]] (N/V, [[lethargy]] etc.) | * Signs of increased [[ICP]] (N/V, [[lethargy]] etc.) | ||
** This is an indication for immediate intervention. | ** This is an indication for immediate intervention. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:21, 26 October 2015
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Brain abscess Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Brain abscess physical examination On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Brain abscess physical examination |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Brain abscess physical examination |
Overview
The symptoms of brain abscess are caused by a combination of increased intracranial pressure due to a space-occupying lesion (headache, vomiting, confusion, coma), infection (fever, fatigue etc.) and focal neurologic brain tissue damage (hemiparesis, aphasia etc.). The symptoms and findings depend largely on the specific location of the abscess in the brain.
Physical Examination
Appearance of the patient
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Speech difficulties
Vital signs
- Dysarthria
- Fevers
- Headache
- Most common complaint, seen in greater than 75% of patients
Neck
- Stiffness in neck (in occasional cases)
Neuromuscular
- Altered mental status
- Hemiparesis
- Approximately 30-50% of patients will have focal neurological deficits
- Eventual coma
- Aphasia
- Ataxia
- Signs of increased ICP (N/V, lethargy etc.)
- This is an indication for immediate intervention.