BRAIN-ABSCESS IN CHILDHOOD - A 25-YEAR EXPERIENCE

The presentation, treatment and outcome of 98 children with brain absc esses at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, is rev iewed. Middle ear disease and trauma were the commonest sources of inf ection in 60% of patients. The usual presentation was that of meningit is and it is recommended that computed tomography be performed before lumbar puncture in those patients with associated middle ear disease, trauma or sinusitis. With early treatment of both the abscess and the underlying source of infection, the mortality rate was 16%.