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Abscess in the central nervous system are uncommon, serious and life-threatening infections. They may arise secondarily due to infection of some other area or after skull trauma or surgery, and, rarely, following meningitis. They manifest with following symptoms: 

• Fever

• Headache  

• Mental status changes

• Focal neurologic deficits  

• Seizures  

• Nausea and vomiting   

Treatment for CNS infections

Initially infections may be treated with antibiotics, antimicrobials, corticosteroids or other drugs to provide symptomatic relief to the patient. But once abscess has formed, surgical drainage is required. The procedures used are aspiration through a bur hole and complete excision after craniotomy. It may include: 

• Needle aspiration using a stereotactic procedure with the guidance of ultrasound or CT scanning

• Craniotomy is indicated in cases of multiloculated abscesses and in those whose conditions fail to resolve

• Ventricular drainage combined with administration of intravenous and/or intrathecal antimicrobials is indicated in abscesses that has ruptured into the ventricles

• Excision is indicated in posterior fossa or multiloculated abscesses