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.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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