Brain abscess surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Abscess Main Page
Brain abscess Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Brain abscess from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Brain abscess surgery On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Brain abscess surgery All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Brain abscess surgery
CDC on Brain abscess surgery
Brain abscess surgery in the news
Blogs on Brain abscess surgery
Directions to Hospitals Treating Brain abscess
Risk calculators and risk factors for Brain abscess surgery

Surgery

Surgery has evolved dramatically over the last few decades.

Once requiring open craniotomy and drainage / excision, most procedures are currently minimally invasive, closed, and performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation and CT guidance.

• CT guidance is accurate to within 4 – 5mm.
• Stereotactic drainage can also be used if necessary, and is accurate to within 1 – 2mm.
• Open craniotomy with complete excision is usually reserved for patients with multiloculated abscesses or in cases due to more resistant pathogens (e.g. fungi and nocardia).