Observations on current therapy of abscess of the brain.

Abstract

Purpose and Introduction More than 10 years have elapsed since antibiotic agents became generally available in the treatment of pyogenic disease of the central nervous system. Several authors1-4have reported that these agents have lowered the mortality rate in abscess of the brain. However, the surgical management of this type of abscess varies, and may play a role in the outcome in the individual case.3In an attempt to evaluate this factor, we undertook the present study. Materials and Method The records of patients who underwent surgical treatment of intracerebral pyogenic disease at the Mayo Clinic in the years 1946 through 1955, inclusive, were studied. The results of culture and the sensitivity of the micro-organisms to various antibiotic agents were noted, and the antibiotic agents used in treating the patients were recorded. The surgical procedures were indicated by the surgeon's description of the operation dictated immediately after completion