Intracranial and maxillofacial abscesses originating from the temporomandibular joint with rheumatoid arthritis : A case report

Abstract

The incidence of intracranial brain abscess originating from the oral and maxillofacial infection is rare. However, brain abscesses have been reported in immunocompromised patients, which may cause neurological sequelae with high mortality. Early diagnosis of brain abscess and intensive antibiotic treatment can reduce the mortality rate. However, as a clinician, early diagnosis is difficult, and there are limitations in the use of antibiotics. Odontogenic infection can be diagnosed and treated early using clinical examination and dental radiographs. Although the temporomandibular joint is an area that den-tists are in charge of, it is difficult to diagnose an infection, and there is a possibility that it may develop into a brain abscess. The purpose of this report is to review the case of temporomandibular joint infection and secondary maxillofacial and brain abscesses in a 61-year-old female patient with systemic rheumatoid arthritis, and to report the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of brain abscess as a clinician.