Factors influencing the outcomes and mortality of brain abscess: a retrospective analysis of 54 cases

Objective: Brain abscess is relatively uncommon because the brain has an abundant blood supply and protection from the blood-brain barrier. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcomes of brain abscesses and to identify factors associated with patients’ outcomes. Methods: The characteristics (age, sex, medical history, initial neurologic status, laboratory data, abscess morphology) and outcomes of 54 patients with brain abscesses who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: There were more male patients than female patients (44:10). Sixteen patients died or became disabled, whereas 38 patients recovered. Statistical analyses indicated that those with a penetration cause, Glasgow coma scale≤12, ventriculitis, or Gram-negative bacilli grown in abscess culture had significantly poorer outcomes, whereas those with a contiguous cause and isolated brain abscess had significantly better outcomes (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study identified poor prognostic factors in brain abscess patients. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment techniques, brain abscess still has a high mortality rate. The results of this study are expected to help with exact diagnoses and more accurate prognostication of brain abscess patients.