Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factor and Outcome of Brain Abscess: A Retrospective Analysis During a 10-year Period

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to collect and analyze the information of patients diagnosed with primary brain abscess at our hospital over the last 10 years to determine the predisposing risk factors, clinical characteristics, and predictors of outcome.Methods: The retrospective study evaluated hospital records and radiology data of patients diagnosed with and treated for brain abscess in our hospital from 2013 to 2022. A total of 25 patients were included in this study. Clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with brain abscess were identified, and the surgical group and the non-surgical group were compared and the risk factors for poor prognosis were investigated. In addition, the excision and aspiration groups were compared among patients who underwent surgical treatment.Results: Seventeen patients (68%) underwent surgery, and the remaining eight patients (32%) underwent conservative treatment. Of the 17 patients who underwent surgery, nine patients (52.94%) underwent stereotactic drainage, and eight (47.05%) underwent craniotomy, and excision. At discharge, nine patients (36%) had poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6), including one (5.88%) who died, and the remaining 16 (68%) had good outcomes (mRS score 0-2).Conclusions: The most common comorbidity in the patients with brain abscess was diabetes mellitus, and Gram-positive Staphylococcus was the most common pathogen. Headache and confusion are also associated with poor outcomes. In addition, aspiration and excision had no significant differences in terms of outcomes