Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms may develop slowly, over a period of 2 weeks, or they may develop suddenly. They may include:
- Aching of neck, shoulders, or back
- Changes in mental status
- Confusion
- Decreasing responsiveness
- Drowsiness
- Eventual coma
- Inattention
- Irritability
- Slow thought processes
- Decreased movement
- Decreased sensation
- Decreased speech (aphasia)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Language difficulties
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of muscle function
- Seizures
- Stiff neck, shoulders, or back
- Vision changes
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Diagnosis & Tests
A brain and nervous system (neurological) exam will usually show increased intracranial pressure and problems with brain function.
Tests to diagnose a brain abscess may include:
- Blood cultures
- Chest x-ray
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Cranial CT scan
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- MRI of head
- Testing for the presence of antibodies to organisms (including toxoplasma and Tinea solium)
A needle biopsy is usually performed to identify the cause of the infection.
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Brain abscess : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Brain abscess : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Brain abscess : Treatment
Review Date : 9/17/2008
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
