STEREOTAXIC ASPIRATION AND DRAINAGE OF BRAIN ABSCESSES - EXPERIENCE WITH 9 CASES

The first-line treatment For brain abscesses is still a much-debated a rgument. Recently, stereotactic aspiration of these lesions has gained ground as a valid alternative to the traditional medical and/or surgi cal therapeutical treatments. From 1991 to 1995, 9 patients affected b y intracranial abscesses were surgically treated by stereotactic punct ure of the lesion and drainage of pus, using the Kelly-Goerss stereota ctic system. Multiple abscesses were present in one case, Specific ant ibiotic therapy was used in the post-operative stage, when possible. O ne death occurred four weeks after surgery for acute ischemia of the b rain stem. Follow-up CT demonstrated gradual resolution of the abscess es in all the cases and a successful return to normal daily life in al l the surviving patients. In one case, recurrence of the abscess occur red two months after resolution: a successful result was obtained by s teroids and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy alone. Possible advantag es of this technique are discussed and compared with the traditional r outes. The literature concerning this argument is reviewed.