Case Report

Volume: 4 | Issue: 9 | Published: Oct 07, 2020 | Pages: 288 - 291 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1573302070

A case report of brain abscess caused by Streptococcus intermedius secondary to sinusitis in 16-year-old adolescents


Authors: Alessandra Iacono , Agnese Maria Addeo , Cristina Ferre , Paola Gallo , Sara Bertelli , Monica Sprocati , Luca Borgatti , Giuseppe Maggiore


Article Info

Authors

Alessandra Iacono

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Agnese Maria Addeo

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Cristina Ferre

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Paola Gallo

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Sara Bertelli

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Monica Sprocati

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Luca Borgatti

Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Giuseppe Maggiore

Department of Medical Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Publication History

Received: November 09, 2019

Revised: July 27, 2020

Accepted: August 09, 2020

Published: October 07, 2020


Abstract


Background: A brain abscess is a rare but serious complication of sinusitis. It mostly involves adolescents and more specifically those of the male sex. A cerebral abscess is characterized by a heterogeneous clinical picture. The pathogenic organism mostly involved belongs to the Streptococcus milleri group. The diagnosis process is based on imaging. Treatment is based on an antibiotic therapy for 4-8 weeks which can be followed by surgery. Long-term sequelae occur in 40% of the cases, and mortality is about 10%. Case Presentation: This paper reports the clinical case of a 16-year-old boy affected by a sinusitis-induced brain abscess. The worsening of the clinical picture and of the neuroimaging, despite antibiotic therapy, made a surgical intervention necessary. An intravenous antibiotic therapy was administered for 2 weeks followed by oral antibiotics. Despite this, the condition of the patient was worsening, and he had to be treated again with intravenous antibiotic therapy for 4 weeks. This therapeutic choice had a positive outcome and the boy was declared healed. Conclusion: Sinusitis is an infection that can be complicated by brain abscess in 6%-8% of cases. Large-sized cerebral abscesses accompanied by neurological symptoms require prompt surgical treatment and a targeted antimicrobial therapy to reduce hospitalization and to speed up the healing process.

Keywords: Case report, brain abscess, sinusitis, green