Definition and Causes
An intracranial abscess is an accumulation of pus and other matter within the skull. Depending on the location of the abscess
and the severity of inflammation and swelling, pressure against the brain may cause mild or severe neurologic symptoms, coma,
or death. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to survival.
Infections of the brain and skull may be caused by a number of different bacteria, in a single strain or mixed, originating
within the body, in dental or sinus infections, in chronic or traumatic wounds, or from foreign matter. Some of the most
common bacterial species are listed among Related Terms on this page. Viruses, fungi, parasites, protozoa, and other microbial
organisms may also cause intracranial abscess. Children with congenital heart disease and people with compromised immune
systems due to chronic disease, cancer therapy, HIV, AIDS, and immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplantation face
higher risk.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Approval Status
Read the
Intracranial Abscess
page in the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society resource library to learn more about intracranial abscess, the rationale
for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and key clinical evidence, outcomes, and success factors.
Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is used as an adjunct to surgery and antibiotic therapy for intracranial abscess. The bacteria
involved in brain abscess are mainly anaerobic, meaning they thrive in low-oxygen environments. HBOT inhibits anaerobic and
some other bacteria from replicating, spreading, and releasing damaging toxins. Hyperbaric oxygen may also help reduce brain
swelling, boost the effect of antibiotics, and enhance the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and other microbial organisms.
Hyperbaric oxygen may be especially useful for multiple abscesses in deep or dominant locations, in patients with immune
compromise, and when the infection does not respond well to traditional surgery and antibiotics.
UHMS
guidelines recommend daily or twice-daily treatment of 60-90 minutes at 2.0 to 2.5 atmospheres of absolute pressure (ATA).
hyperbariclink commentary
Brain abscesses are deadly serious but much less fatal (10%-30%) since the advent of computed tomography (CT) imaging
devices, CT-guided surgical techniques (needle aspiration), and improved microbiology testing and antibiotic regimens.
Like osteomyelitis and necrotizing infections, brain abscesses involve some rather frightening germs. As antibiotics
and other traditional weapons against these worrisome microscopic invaders begin to weaken, HBOT provides a vital backstop.
The mechanisms at work here also greatly interest researchers investigating hyperbaric oxygen for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Patient Resources
HyperbaricLink recommends the following websites for anyone seeking authoritative information, patient advocacy, and community
support for intracranial abscess.
A service of the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus offers plenty of helpful
links from its easy-to-read article on intracranial abscess.
HHS.gov offers healthcare professionals and patients and families an excellent interactive video program,
Partnering to Heal
about preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Clinical Resources
Start with the following resources to explore current research activities and the peer-reviewed medical literature on hyperbaric
oxygen therapy for intracranial abscess.
ClinicalTrials.gov keeps the official list of human clinical trials currently enrolling, in progress, and recently completed.
One may reasonably question the size and legitimacy of any study not listed here.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for current studies of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intracranial abscess
A specialized Google search engine, Google Scholar indexes scholarly articles, patents, and legal opinions and journals.
Google Scholar may generate excessive search results, but entries provide easy access to full-text journal articles.
Search Google Scholar for intracranial abscess and hyperbaric oxygen
HHS.gov offers healthcare professionals and patients and families an excellent interactive video program,
Partnering to Heal
about preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
The IDSA provides information, education, and practice guidelines for physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals
who specialize in infectious diseases.
A service of WebMD, Medscape offers specialists, primary care physicians, and other health professionals robust and integrated
medical information and educational tools.
Read the Medscape article Brain Abscess Imaging
PubMed.gov
US National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
PubMed keeps the official list of scientific papers published in reputable peer-reviewed medical journals. One may reasonably
question the importance and legitimacy of any study not listed here.
Search PubMed.gov for journal articles relating to hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intracranial abscess
Related Terms
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Antibiotic
- Bacteria
- Bacteroides
- Cerebral abscess
- Chronic wounds
- Clostridial myonecrosis
- Clostridial myositis
- Clostridium
- Congenital heart disease
- Diabetic ulcers
- Drug-resistant staph
- Epidural empyema
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Flesh-eating bacteria
- Fusobacterium
- Gangrene
- Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
- Hospital-acquired infection (HAI)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Hypoxia
- Immunocompromise
- Immunodeficiency
- Immunosuppression
- Meningitis
- Methicillin
- MRSA
- Organ transplantation
- Osteomyelitis
- Prevotella
- Pseudomonas
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus
- Subdural empyema
- Toxoplasma
Further Reading
HyperbaricLink suggests
"My brain abscess and me"
by Tim Lusher
Note: This story takes place in England. The author's experience should not be regarded as representative of modern healthcare.