Brain abscess
A brain abscess is a pocket of infection that forms in the brain. Depending on its size and location, a brain abscess may cause headaches, personality changes, one-sided weakness, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, and seizures.
Brain abscesses are uncommon. They may be caused by:
- The spread of infection from somewhere else in the head, such as the gums (gingivitis), mouth, nose, ear, or sinus.
- A deep head wound that penetrates the brain.
- Infection that has traveled through the bloodstream from somewhere else in the body.
Treatment includes medication to fight the infection and decrease swelling in the brain. In some cases a brain abscess requires surgical drainage.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Revised | October 12, 2009 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
October 12, 2009
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