CNS infections

Question 1

Risk factors for abscess

Answer 1

Middle ear and paranasal sinus infections, congenital cyanotic heart disease, endocarditis, recent dental treatment, immunosuppression, Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome

Question 2

Symptoms of brain abscess

Answer 2

Non specific - headache, fever, seizures and/or neurological deficit.

Question 3

Common organisms outside UK that can cause brain abscesses

Answer 3

Tuberculomas, cysticerosis, echinoccus, schistosomiasis, strongoloidiasis

Question 4

Organism that can cause brain abscess from frontal or ethmoidal sinus

Answer 4

Streptococcus

Question 5

Organism that can cause brain abscess from chronic mastoiditis/otitis

Answer 5

Bacteroides fragilis

Question 6

Organism that can cause brain abscess from penetrating trauma or surgery

Answer 6

Staph aureus or enterobacteriacea

Question 7

Organism that can cause brain abscess from congenital heart disease

Answer 7

Strep viridans and strep pneumoniae

Question 8

Organism that can cause brain abscess from endocarditis

Answer 8

Staph aureus and strep pneumoniae

Question 9

Organism that can cause brain abscess in immunosuppressed patients

Answer 9

Toxoplasma gondii, nocardia, mycobacteria, yeast and fungal abscesses

Question 10

When is sugrery indicated in brain abscess

Answer 10

Confirm diagnosis, reduce associated mass effect, prevent intraventricular rupture, remove an associated foreign body, fungal or multiloculated abscesses

Question 11

What part of the brain does TB meningitis affect

Answer 11

Base of the brain causing granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis

Question 12

What type of meningitis does TB cause

Answer 12

Sub-acute or chronic