Brain abscess in a chronic hemodialysis patient

Abstract

Pyogenic brain abscesses (CA) are a relatively rare infection and sometimes difficult to diagnose due to the absence of specific clinical or laboratory signs. A brain abscess causing neurological disturbances was diagnosed in a chronic hemodialysis patient. The clinical examination finds headaches and vomiting in a context of right hemi-bodily motor deficit. In whom the neurological examination finds an intracranial hypertension syndrome, a pyramidal syndrome of progressive installation then an infectious syndrome; suggesting an intracranial expansive process (infectious or tumoral). The neurosurgical intervention, decided on the results of the magnetic resonance imaging, confirmed the intraoperative abscess which was punctured and drained. The antibiotic therapy combined ceftazidime, metronidazole and gentamicin parenterally. The evolution was marked by the persistence of neurological disorders.