What is a Brain Abscess?
An abscess is a collection of pus in an enclosed area of the body. Within the brain, bacterial or fungal infections cause abscesses.
A brain abscess is a serious, life-threatening condition. Ruptured abscesses have a high mortality rate.
What causes brain abscesses?
Brain abscesses form when fungi, viruses, or bacteria reach your brain, typically through a head wound or infection elsewhere in your body. Heart and lung infections are among the most common causes of brain abscess.
Those with weakened immune systems, chronic disease, or who take drugs that suppress the immune system are most at risk of developing brain abscesses.
Treating brain abscesses at UPMC
The goals of treatment for brain abscesses are to reduce intracranial pressure and eliminate the infection.
At UPMC, neurosurgeons will remove or drain the brain abscess to relieve the pressure. After treatment, you will need to take a course of antibiotics.