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.