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Cerebral Abscess

Cerebral Abscess

What is a cerebral abscess?

A cerebral abscess is a pocket of infected material in your brain that includes pus, microorganisms that are causing the infection. It is sometimes called a brain abscess.


What causes a cerebral abscess?


What are the risk factors for cerebral abscess?

You have a higher risk of developing this problem if you have heart defects, HIV/AIDS or other conditions that affect your immune system, or if you use medicines that inhibit your immune system. You are also at greater risk if you have had a recent injury to your head or head surgery (including dental procedures). 

What are the symptoms of a cerebral abscess?

A cerebral abscess can cause many symptoms, including:

  • Headaches
  • Fevers and chills
  • Going in and out of consciousness
  • Visual disturbances
  • Weakness on one side of your body
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Changes in personality
  • Confusion
  • Trouble moving or speaking
  • Stiffness in the neck or back

How is a cerebral abscess diagnosed?




How is a cerebral abscess treated?

Health care providers treat cerebral abscesses with medicines, including antibiotics or drugs to fight a fungal infection. Your health care provider may also give you steroid drugs to lower pressure in your brain, or other drugs to reduce seizures.


What are the complications of a cerebral abscess?

Treating a cerebral abscess promptly is extremely important. Without treatment, very serious complications can set in, including death. Even with treatment, some patients might have long-term neurologic problems, such as weakness or trouble moving.

What can I do to prevent a cerebral abscess?

If you have an infection elsewhere in your body, make sure it's properly treated. This may help prevent a cerebral abscess. If your health care provider has suggested that you take antibiotics before certain procedures, such as dental work, be sure to follow these directions.

When should I call my health care provider?

Treating a cerebral abscess as soon as possible is essential. If you have neck stiffness, any type of neurological problem (including seizures, changes in consciousness, or sleepiness), or are vomiting or running a fever, along with a bad headache, call your health care provider and get the problem treated promptly.

If you have already been diagnosed with a cerebral abscess and are being treated, it's very important to let your health care provider know if any of your symptoms get worse, or if you develop any new symptoms. These could be signs that your infection is getting worse, despite treatment.

Key points


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