Outcome of burr-hole aspiration of brain abscess

Objective: To determine the clinical outcome of burr-hole aspiration of brain abscess.

Methods: We analyzed 100 cases of intracranial abscess, treated surgically from January 2015 and October 2016 at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). All patients were treated with burr hole aspiration. Medical records were analyzed for demographics, clinical presentation, predisposing factors, abscess location on imaging and clinical outcomes were charted.

Results: The study included 100 patients with 73 (73%) males and 27 (27%) females with a mean age of 36.69±10.96 years. Mean duration of signs and symptoms was 8.50±4.2 days. The most common presenting complaint was altered sensorium in 70 (70%) patients and commonest source of infection was otitis media seen in 27 patients (27%). The GCS on presentation was 13 in 57 (57%) cases. The parietal region was the most common site in 43 patients (43%), followed by frontal region in 33 patients (33%).Complete resolution of abscess with recovery of preoperative neuro-deficit was seen in 77 (77%) patients and recovery with major neuro-deficit was observed in 10 (10%) cases while 13 (13%) patients expired.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis, optimum follow-up and timely burr-hole aspiration are the keys in the proper management of brain abscess.