DOI: 10.12890/2023_003774

The Leaking Ear: A Billiard Ball Sized Otogenic Acute Brain Abscess

Authors

  • Thomas Matthews Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
  • Cathy Keegan Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
  • David McDonnell Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
  • Peter Loughman Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
  • Mohammad Amin Mirbalouchzehi Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
  • Kevin Veerasamy Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
  • Niall Colwell Department of Medicine, Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland

matthetj@tcd.ie

Keywords

Otogenic brain abscess, candidaemia

Abstract

An otogenic origin is identified in over half of cases pertaining to brain abscess.  They are typically associated with either mastoiditis, cholesteatoma or otitis media and carry a risk of mortality in the region of twenty per cent.  We describe the case of a 71-year-old gentleman presenting with acute confusion and unilateral neurology in the absence of systemic signs of sepsis or associated laboratory biomarkers who was diagnosed with a particularly large spherical temporal lobe brain abscess of 5cm diameter on neuroimaging.  This abscess was treated successfully with craniotomy, evacuation and a prolonged course of anti-microbials enabling him to return to his pre-morbid level of functioning.  His prolonged course of anti-microbials was complicated by a candidaemia and colonisation of an indwelling central venous catheter that was treated successfully with antifungals.

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References

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Published

2023-04-06

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 4 (2023)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Matthews T, Keegan C, McDonnell D, Loughman P, Mirbalouchzehi MA, Veerasamy K, et al. The Leaking Ear: A Billiard Ball Sized Otogenic Acute Brain Abscess. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2023 Apr. 6 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];10(4). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/3774

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