Brain abscess in children.

The authors review 25 consecutive patients with a brain abscess. All of the patients were between 19 days and 74 years of age. Contiguous abscesses we re the most frequent They were usually a complication of meningitis. CT sca n allowed the diagnosis. Multiple abscesses were frequently seen (16 cases) . Surgery was required for 18 infants, 12 were treated by aspiration and anti biotics, and in six cases, initial aspiration was followed by excision. Ant ibiotics alone were given in seven cases. The mortality rate was significan tly related to the multiple abscesses. Sequelae were noted in 20% of the ca ses. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.