The characteristics of the cases with brain abscess and the analysis of the predictive factors for poor outcome

Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate the characteristics of patients who have undergone surgical operations due to brain abscess and to assess the risk factors for mortality and the outcomes.

Methodology: Patients who have undergone surgical operations due to brain abscess between January 2014 and January 2024 in our hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups to determine poor outcome predictive factors.

Results: A total of 57 patients with brain abscess were evaluated. Brain abscess was developed after a surgical procedure in 33% of the patients. Of these patients, 44 (77%) recovered without sequelae, 3 cases had epilepsy, and 2 had hemiplegia. Comparing the patients with poor outcome and the patients with good outcome in terms of symptom duration, time to hospital admission, and C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and procalcitonin values, we detected statistically significant difference only in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.018). Patients with poor outcome had higher C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values and shorter symptom duration and time to hospital admission than the patients with good outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a predictive factor for poor outcome.

Conclusions: Brain abscesses with high mortality and morbidity. Detailed questioning of symptom duration and time to hospital admission in patients presenting with headache who have or have not undergone surgical operation, precisely evaluating C-reactive protein, sedimentation, and procalcitonin values after performing necessary scanning procedures, and swiftly planning surgical and/or antibiotic treatment are associated with survival benefit.