Infectious abscess of the central nervous system
Definition
A focal suppurative process of the brain parenchyma, the intracranial or spinal epidural or subdural space, and less commonly the spinal cord parenchyma. The suppurative process is most commonly associated with bacterial infection, and occasionally with fungal, protozoal, or parasitic infection. Brain abscesses develop most commonly by spread from a contiguous infected site (ear, paranasal sinuses, mastoid air cells, teeth), craniofacial osteomyelitis, and following open head trauma or previous neurosurgical procedure. Haematogenous spread from purulent pulmonary infections, bacterial endocarditis, or other sites of infection can also cause brain abscess. Patients with intracranial abscess present with variable combinations of headache, altered mental status, focal deficits, and seizures. Fever may be present. Patients with intraspinal abscess present with variable degrees of paraparesis or quadriparesis, sensory impairment below the level of the lesion, altered sphincter function, and back pain. The diagnosis is made by CT or MRI imaging, and may be confirmed by histological examination and culture of the abscess material following neurosurgical drainage. Lumbar puncture is usually contraindicated.
Exclusions
- Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis
(1F2F) - Gonococcal brain abscess
(4B4Y)
8 subordinate codes
Nearby in Non-viral or unspecified infections of the central nervous system
1D00Infectious encephalitis, not elsewhere classified1D01Infectious meningitis, not elsewhere classified1D02Infectious myelitis, not elsewhere classified1D04Infectious granulomas of the central nervous system1D05Infectious cysts of the central nervous system4B4YOther specified diseases of the immune system4B4ZDiseases of the immune system, unspecified