A brain abscess is a brain infection that may cause problems with a child's brain and spinal cord function. The team at Boston Children's Hospital works quickly to identify a child's brain abscess and take all the steps necessary to remove it.
A brain abscess:
Can occur in all children, but are more common in young school-aged children
Occur twice as often in boys than in girls
May be the result of a virus or infection
Can be detected through a variety of tests, including X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
May be treated with medication, but surgery may be required
Is a brain abscess common?
Brain abscesses can occur in any child, but they're more common in young, school-aged children and occur twice as often in boys than in girls.
Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of a brain abscess?
Symptoms vary from child to child, based on their age. The most common include:
Traction (a device placed around the head to hold the head and neck areas still; used in patients with broken necks)
Shunt (devices used to drain excess amounts of cerebral spinal fluid)
Diagnosis & Treatments
How is a brain abscess diagnosed?
During the physical examination, your child's doctor will obtain a complete medical history of your child. In addition to urine and stool tests and a measure of your head's circumference, a doctor may do any of these diagnostic tests:
X-ray
Uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
Magnetic resonance imaging
Also called an MRI
Uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body
Intravenous (IV) contrast agents may be given during the scan to better see the abscess
Computerized tomography scan
Also called a CT or CAT scan
Uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs.
Sputum culture
Tests the stuff coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth
Records the brain's continuous, electrical activity by means of electrodes attached to your scalp
Intracranial pressure monitoring
Also called ICP
Measures the pressure inside of your head
How is a brain abscess treated?
The key to treating a brain abscess is early detection and treatment. A child with a brain abscess requires immediate hospitalization, treatment, and close monitoring. After your child is hospitalized, our team of doctors and nurses will educate your family on how to best care for your child at home.
Traditional treatments for a brain abscess
The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure in your child's head and to treat the infection.
Medications: Used to control the infection, seizures, fever, and/or other conditions that may be present
Surgery: Required if the medication doesn't work, the abscess gets bigger, or there is a chance of the abscess rupturing
Breathing machine: Used in severe cases to help your child breathe easier
