Spontaneous empyema and brain abscess in an intensive care population: clinical presentation, microbiology, and factors associated with outcome

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Severe intracranial infections like empyema and brain abscess have an incidence of 0.4 to 0.9 per 100,000 inhabitants annually in developed countries.
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The study analyzed 45 critically ill patients with spontaneous empyema or brain abscess, revealing a high mortality rate of 16% and long-term disability.
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Older age, shorter time from symptom onset to ICU admission, and decreased consciousness at admission were associated with unfavorable outcomes.
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Sinusitis was identified as the most frequent source of infection in 60% of patients, with multifocal abscesses present in 20% of cases.
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Bacterial growth was detected in 86% of abscess cultures, with gram-positive bacteria being the most common, despite prior antibiotic therapy in many cases.

Acta Neurochirurgica

by Sabeth Dietler, Jan Willms, Giovanna Brandi, Sophie Wang, Astrid Burkerth, Emanuela Keller
May 27, 2022

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