Brain abscess physical examination

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

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.

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.