Brain abscess - Treatment

Treatment-Brain abscess

Contents

1. Overview
2. Causes
3. Treatment

Treatment for a brain abscess usually involves a combination of medicines and surgery, depending on the size and number of brain abscesses.

A brain abscess is a medical emergency, so you'll need treatment in hospital until your condition is stable.

Treatment with medicines often begins before a diagnosis is confirmed to reduce the risk of complications.

Brain abscess - Causes

Causes-Brain abscess

Contents

1. Overview
2. Causes
3. Treatment

A brain abscess is usually caused by infection with either bacteria or fungi.

If the immune system is unable to kill an infection, it will try to limit its spread by using healthy tissue to form an abscess, to stop the pus infecting other tissue.

Infections of the brain are rare because the body has evolved a number of defences to protect this vital organ. One of these is the blood-brain barrier, a thick membrane that filters out impurities from blood before allowing it into your brain.

However, in some cases, germs can get through these defences and infect the brain.

Although the exact location of the original infection cannot always be identified, the most common sources are described below.

Brain abscess - Overview

Overview-Brain abscess

Contents

1. Overview
2. Causes
3. Treatment

A brain abscess is a pus-filled swelling in the brain. It usually occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the brain tissue after an infection or severe head injury.

Although the risk of developing a brain abscess is extremely low in England, it is a life-threatening condition and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.