In a retrospective study of 234 cases of intracranial infections, computed tomography was performed in 83 patients. The main findings were brain edema, hydrocephalus, subdural effusions, infarction, and parenchymal and meningeal contrast enhancement or calcifications. Ring enhancement is a nonspecific finding and was found in tuberculous, fungal, and pyogenic lesions. The most severe complications were seen in neonates and infants. MeSH KEYWORDS: Central nervous system diseases-radiography, tomography, x-ray computed; communicable diseases Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are common in developing parts of the world.1 These diseases are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, particularly during the neonatal period and early childhood.2 Computed tomography (CT) helps in the detection and localization of the lesion, but the pathologic alterations seen on CT are often nonspecific. However, when viewed in the light of the clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory findings, a more accurate diagnosis can be achieved in the majority of patients.The purpose of this study is to report our findings in 83 patients with CNS infections who underwent CT examination.
Patients and MethodsDuring a 1-year period, 234 patients with intracranial infections were admitted to Jeddah Fever Hospital and King Abdul Aziz University Hospital. The diagnosis of intracranial infection was based on the clinical history, physical examination, and the CSF findings in the majority of cases. A CT scan was performed only in patients who showed unsatisfactory response to early clinical management, as well as in infants who had abnormal ultrasound scans.
ResultsThere were more children than adults in the present series of cases (Table 1). The positive organisms that prevailed in each age group are shown in Table 2. In infants and young children less than 6 months of age, the most common organisms were Hemophilus influenzae,. Toxoplasma, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Between 6 and 12 months, the most common organism was Diplococcus pneumoniae, which was also the most frequently isolated organism in all of our cases. Among the 234 patients, no organisms were isolated in 133.