A patient with a brain stem abscess that was cured with medical therap
y alone is described. The English-language literature on brain stem ab
scesses is reviewed. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance i
maging (MRI) have revolutionized the rapidity with which the diagnosis
can be made and have markedly changed the prognosis for patients with
brain stem abscesses. To my knowledge, all patients whose brain stem
abscesses have been diagnosed by MRI or CT have survived although some
have had neurological residuals. Patients are usually treated with su
rgical excision or aspiration along with antibiotics. Our patient was
treated with medical therapy alone, and this case represents the fourt
h reported cure with this treatment modality. Medical therapy may be a
nticipated to cure patients with brain stem abscesses whose conditions
are diagnosed expeditiously with CT or MRI techniques.