Brain Abscess Secondary to a Dental Infection

Abstract

The risk of a brain abscess is a complication of odontogenic infection that is rarely considered by physicians and little spoken of, yet treating dental infections may avoid a potentially life-threatening condition. We report a case of 7-year-old boy with a brain abscess secondary to a dental infection. He was immediately taken to the operating theatre for drainage and cleaning of the abscess. A dental examination revealed root abscesses on temporary molars, which were extracted under general anaesthetic. Two months after his admission, the child was switched to oral antibiotherapy and could return home. A brain abscess represents a life-threatening disease. Childhood brain abscess is uncommon but may be encountered by all physicians and students as a clinical emergency. It is indispensable that physicians finding symptoms similar to those in this case study refer the patient for emergency care and that possible dental foci of infection be assessed, whether or not the patient is being followed for dental care.