Improved Outcomes in the First 72 Days of Medical Management of Cerebral Abscess in Post-Traumatic Patients

Abstract

Objective: We studied the results of medical and surgical management of cerebral abscesses in post-traumatic patients after road traffic accidents (RTA). Material and Methods: It is a comparative observational study of 40 patients in Lahore General Hospital/Punjab Institute of Neurosciences (PINS), Lahore. Our patients were presented with fever, vomiting, headache, fits, etc. Results: The age range of our patients was 15-60 years. The mean age of our patients was 40 years, we gave medical management along with bed rest to all 40 patients (100%) for 3 weeks. Anti-epileptic, mannitol, antibiotics, and painkillers were the medication that was given. Our 30 (75%) patients who were managed medically, had headaches, and vomiting which did not resolve for we had to operate on the patients. Surgical management was done in 10 (25%) patients. Surgical excision was done in 9 (97%) patients and burr hole evacuation was done in 1 (3%) patients. All patients who recovered from medical management are those who were treated within 1st week after the occurrence of cerebral abscess. Conclusion: The results of medical management of cerebral abscess are better than surgical management if patients are treated during the first week after the occurrence of cerebral abscess. With good antibiotics etc.