Brain abscess in Korean children: A 15-year single center study

Autor: Cha Gon Lee, Seong Hun Kang, Yae Jean Kim, Hyung Jin Shin, Hyun Shin Choi, Jee Hun Lee, Mun Hyang Lee
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2010
Předmět:
Zdroj: Korean Journal of Pediatrics, Vol 53, Iss 5, Pp 648-652 (2010)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1738-1061
2092-7258
DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2010.53.5.648
Popis: PurposeA brain abscess is a serious disease of the central nerve system. We conducted this study to summarize the clinical manifestations and outcomes of brain abscesses.MethodsA retrospective chart review of pediatric patients diagnosed with brain abscesses from November 1994 to June 2009 was performed at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.ResultsTwenty-five patients were included in this study. On average, 1.67 cases per year were identified and the median age was 4.3 years. The common presenting clinical manifestations were fever (18/25, 72%), seizure (12/25, 48%), altered mental status (11/25, 44%), and signs of increased intracranial pressure (9/25, 36%). A total of 14 (56%) patients had underlying illnesses, with congenital heart disease (8/25, 32%) as the most common cause. Predisposing factors were identified in 15 patients (60%). The common predisposing factors were otogenic infection (3/25, 12%) and penetrating head trauma (3/25, 12%). Causative organisms were identified in 64% of patients (16/25). The causative agents were S. intermedius (n=3), S. aureus (n=3), S. pneumoniae (n=1), Group B streptococcus (n=2), E. coli (n=1), P. aeruginosa (n=1), and suspected fungal infection (n=5). Seven patients received medical treatment only while the other 18 patients also required surgical intervention. The overall fatality rate was 16% and 20% of patients had neurologic sequelae. There was no statistical association between outcomes and the factors studied.ConclusionAlthough uncommon, a brain abscess is a serious disease. A high level of suspicion is very important for early diagnosis and to prevent serious consequences.
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