Multiple skull base brain abscess: case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Brain abscess is defined as an infectious intracranial suppuration developed from brain parenchyma. It is less frequent but can occur no matter patient’s age. The contamination can proceed from ENT infection, through blood stream or via a local entry point. The deep location in infant is exceptional and the treatment is medical and surgical. The surgery aimed in pus evacuation and germ identification, on an emergency mode and usually performed many times. Case presentation: We report a case of an infant aged of 1 month who presented with an intermittent fever since neonatal period, irritability and anorexia. Physical examination finds progressive onset of intracranial hypertension and brain CT scan workup shows multiple skull base abscess with active hydrocephalus. He was treated with a bi antibiotherapy and a draining puncture of the abscess repeated a week later. The evolution was favorable with absence of intracranial hypertension signs in immediate post-surgical follow up. Conclusion: This observation had a double particularity: an infant abscess probably evolving since neonatal period, and his location at the level of skull base leading to hydrocephalus.