Brain Abscess Complicating a Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Contusion

Abstract

A 63-year-old right-handed man was admitted to our hospital after sustaining a traumatic right-sided subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and temporal lobe hemorrhagic contusion. He was managed non-operatively and discharged without any neurologic deficits. Two weeks later he presented with worsening headaches and altered sensorium. Imaging studies showed that the patient had developed a cerebral abscess at the site of his intracerebral hemorrhage. The abscess was surgically resected, and the patient was treated with antibiotics with complete resolution of symptoms. This case illustrates the importance of timely recognition of a rare complication of intracranial hemorrhage, and the utility of MR spectroscopy.