• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.399-403
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• 2011

Brain abscesses in neonates are extremely rare and usually occur in patients with certain risk factors. A 1-month-old boy presented at the hospital with fever and irritability. As a result of preterm delivery and low birth weight, he had a history of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Neuroimaging revealed a large, space-occupying lesion in both frontal lobes, which was suspected to be an abscess with the midline shifting to the right. With a single aspiration and abscess drainage along with concurrent prolonged parenteral antibiotic therapy, the patient showed an excellent treatment outcome with normal development. The focus will be placed on minimally invasive surgical management as well as positive outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.648-652
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• 2010

Purpose: A brain abscess is a serious disease of the central nerve system. We conducted this study to summarize the clinical manifestations and outcomes of brain abscesses. Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients diagnosed with brain abscesses from November 1994 to June 2009 was performed at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Results: Twenty-five patients were included in this study. On average, 1.67 cases per year were identified and the median age was 4.3 years. The common presenting clinical manifestations were fever (18/25, 72%), seizure (12/25, 48%), altered mental status (11/25, 44%), and signs of increased intracranial pressure (9/25, 36%). A total of 14 (56%) patients had underlying illnesses, with congenital heart disease (8/25, 32%) as the most common cause. Predisposing factors were identified in 15 patients (60%). The common predisposing factors were otogenic infection (3/25, 12%) and penetrating head trauma (3/25, 12%). Causative organisms were identified in 64% of patients (16/25). The causative agents were $S$ $intermedius$ (n=3), $S$ $aureus$ (n=3), $S$ $pneumoniae$ (n=1), Group B streptococcus (n=2), $E.$ $coli$ (n=1), $P.$ $aeruginosa$ (n=1), and suspected fungal infection (n=5). Seven patients received medical treatment only while the other 18 patients also required surgical intervention. The overall fatality rate was 16% and 20% of patients had neurologic sequelae. There was no statistical association between outcomes and the factors studied. Conclusion: Although uncommon, a brain abscess is a serious disease. A high level of suspicion is very important for early diagnosis and to prevent serious consequences.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.99-99
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• 2003

To exhibit our clinical experience of diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging for various brain pathologies and to determine its role in characterizing brain pathologies in children. DW images in 177 children (M：F＝96：81, mean age, 4.7 years) with various brain pathologies were retrospectively collected over past 3 years. DW images (b value： 1000 s/mm) were reviewed along with corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Brain pathologies included cystic or solid brain tumor (n = 55), cerebral infarct (n = 32), cerebritis with or without brain abscess (n = 21), metabolic or toxic brain disorder (n = 19), demyelinating disease (n = 16), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (n = 16), intracerebral hemorrhage including traumatic brain lesion (n = 15), and posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy (n = 3). We reviewed whether DW images and ADCmaps contribute to further characterization of brain pathologies by defining a chronological age of lesions, the presence of cytotoxic edema in lesions, and the nature of cystic lesions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.444-447
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• 2014

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis (CP) is a very rare but serious form of central nervous system fungal infection that is caused by dematiaceous fungi. It is commonly associated with poor prognosis irrespective of the immune status of the patient. In this study, the authors describe the first case of CP in Korea that occurred in a 75-year-old man without immunodeficiency and showed favorable outcome after surgical excision and antifungal therapy. In addition, the authors herein review the literature regarding characteristics of this rare clinical entity with previously reported cases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.457-462
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• 2009

While receiving appropriate treatment, patients with tuberculosis occasionally have unusual, paradoxical reactions, with transient worsening of lesions or the development of new lesions. This report is a case of tuberculosis brain abscess and tuberculosis peritonitis with intra-abdominal abscess that developed during appropriate anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. A 45-year-old male patient had been diagnosed as with all-drug susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis with pleurisy. Subsequently, the patient underwent standard treatment with anti-tuberculosis therapy; the pulmonary lesions improved. Three months after initial treatment, the patient developed brain abscesses and peritonitis. With the addition of corticosteroid treatment, the patient's neurologic symptoms were relieved. Exploratory laparotomy with surgical drainage was performed and a diagnosis of tuberculosis peritonitis was confirmed on biopsy. Anti-tuberculosis therapy was continued for 19 months, the patient improved eventually without further complications, although the therapeutic regimen had not been altered. In this case, the paradoxical response to treatment may have been involved in the pathogenesis of disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors in patients with brain abscesses treated in a single institute during a recent 10-year period. Methods : Fifty-one patients with brain abscesses who underwent navigation-assisted abscess aspiration with antibiotic treatment were included in this study. Variable parameters were collected from the patients' medical records and radiological data. A comparison was made between patients with favorable [Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) ${\geq}4$] and unfavorable (GOS <4) outcomes at discharge. Additionally, we investigated the factors influencing the duration of antibiotic administration. Results : The study included 41 male and 10 female patients with a mean age of 53 years. At admission, 42 patients (82%) showed either clear or mildly disturbed consciousness (GCS ${\geq}13$) and 24 patients (47%) had predisposing factors. The offending microorganisms were identified in 25 patients (49%), and Streptococcus species were the most commonly isolated bacteria (27%). The mean duration of antibiotic administration was 42 days. At discharge, 41 patients had a favorable outcome and 10 had an unfavorable outcome including 8 deaths. The decreased level of consciousness (GCS <13) on admission was likely associated with an unfavorable outcome (p=0.052), and initial hyperglycemia (${\geq}140mg/dL$) was an independent risk factor for prolonged antibiotic therapy (p=0.032). Conclusion : We found that the level of consciousness at admission was associated with treatment outcomes in patients with brain abscesses. Furthermore, initial hyperglycemia was closely related to the long-term use of antibiotic agents.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.339-341
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• 2007

A 22-year-old woman with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia was hospitalized for headache and vomiting. CT scan showed a well-defined, ring like enhancing mass in the left frontal lobe with surrounding edema and midline shift. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a round homogeneous mass with a ring of enhancement in the left frontal lobe. Tl-201 brain SPECT showed increased focal uptake coinciding with the CT and MRI abnormality. Aspiration of the lesion performed through a burr hole yielded many neutrophils, a few lymphocytes and histiocytes with some strands of filamentous microorganism-like material. Modified AFB stained negative for norcardia. Gram stain showed a few white blood cells and no microorganism. Antibiotics were started and produced a good clinical response. After one month, CT scan showed markedly reduction in size and extent was observed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.296-299
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• 2005

We report a case of primary central nervous system(CNS) lymphoma in an organ recipient. A 33-years-old man who underwent a renal transplantation 3years previously presented with headache and vomiting. In Brain computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images showed multiple periventricular cystic rim enhancing masses. Pathologic diagnosis by stereotactic biopsy revealed malignant non-Hodgkins B-cell lymphoma. After pathologic confirmation, methotrexate chemotherapy and whole brain radiation therapy were done. Having experienced such a case, the authors strongly recommend to add primary CNS lymphoma as one of the differential diagnoses to brain abscess, metastatic brain tumor and glioblastoma multiforme in cases of multiple ring enhancing periventricular lesions of immunocompromised patient or organ recipient.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.420-422
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• 2012

Cerebral aspergillosis is rare and usually misdiagnosed because its presentation is similar to that of a tumor. The correct diagnosis is usually made intra-operatively. Cerebral abscess with fungal infection is extremely rare and few cases have been reported, but it carries a poor prognosis. A 73 year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and paresis of the right cranial nerve III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right cavernous sinus, extened to the anterior crainial fossa and the superior orbital fissure. During surgery, a well encapsulated pus pocket was found, and histopathological examination of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Despite appropriate anti-fungal treatment, the patient eventually died from fatal cerebral ischemic change and severe brain swelling. The correct diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination because clinical and radiological findings including MRI are not specific. Surgical intervention and antifungal therapy should be considered the optimal treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive antifungal treatment provide good results.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.100-103
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• 2002

Streptococcus milleri Goup Bacteria(SMG) comprise three species, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus constellatus. Although they are commensal organism, they can be pathogenic. SMG can be aggressive pathogen in the head and neck with a propensity for abscess formation and local extension of the infection. SMG is culturally and biochemically variable, which makes it hard for the clinicians to recognize it. Hence, it seems that this organism has been relatively neglected. Most of the Lancefield F streptococci are SMG. We report one patient who had Group F streptococcal bacteremia and subdural abscess. According to his medical history, he was diagnosed as membranoproliperative glomerulonephritis three years ago. He complained headache although he was treated by appropiate antibiotics. Brain CT was used as a tool to identify the brain abscess. He had surgical drainage and was treated with IV antibiotics postoperatively.