ASPIRATION OR EXTIRPATION IN CEREBRAL ABSCESS SURGERY

The author carried out CT investigation of 11 patients who recovered a fter cerebral abscess operation. The finding established in all cases was a hypodensic area of various extensions, which, in 4 patients, mad e the impression of pseudocysts. Large pathologic lesions were found m ainly in the patients in whom healing was complicated by relapse. Surp risingly, rather extensive pathologic changes in the patients were fou nd which were cured by so-called ''minimalized surgical intervention'' . The author imputes these changes to the remaining granulation tissue of the abscess capsula, which worsens conditions for healing. Aspirat ion is suitable mainly in cases in which the abscess is not - or only slightly encapsulated. Preoperation CT scans cannot establish exactly the presence and eventual thickness of the capsula. The establishment relationship of the kind and extent of operation to the extent of late r cerebral tissue changes in CT findings requires further observation and verification in a larger group of patients.