THE MANAGEMENT OF CEREBELLAR-ABSCESS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF CT SCANNING

Sixteen patients with surgical infection of the posterior fossa are pr esented. There were 14 patients with cerebellar abscess, one patient w ith a solitary posterior fossa subdural empyema, and another with a co mbined cerebellar abscess and subdural empyema. Two of the cerebellar abscess patients also had supratentorial infections. The presenting fe atures, aetiology, radiology and bacteriology are discussed with parti cular reference to differences in abscess re-accumulation, and outcome between those managed by aspiration and excision. We have been unable to show that either method of treatment is superior to the other. An overall mortality rare of 19% was achieved; however, for those with pa renchymal cerebellar abscesses this was reduced to 13%. We conclude th at burr hole aspiration with regular CT is a satisfactory method of tr eatment for cerebellar abscess.