Cerebrovascular pathologies

Infections of the brain can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or, occasionally, protozoa or parasites.

Bacteria and other infectious organisms can reach the brain and meninges in several ways:

• Carried by the blood
• Entering the brain directly from the outside (Example, through an open skull fracture or during surgery on the brain)
• Spreading from nearby infected areas, such as the para nasal sinuses or middle ear

Encephalitis – Infections causing inflammation of the brain. Viruses are the most common causes of encephalitis followed by bacteria. His condition is treated with medicines like antivirals or antibiotics

Meningitis – Infections causing inflammation of the layers of brain (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord. Commonly caused by bacteria followed by tuberculosis. His condition is diagnosed by doing lumbar puncture to drain cerebrospinal fluid and testing it for micro-organisms. His condition is also treated with medications, like antibiotics or anti-tubercular medications depending on the pathology. Sometimes complications like hydrocephalus occur which need surgery – Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

Abscess – Infection is confined to one area as a pocket of pus within the brain parenchyma. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and others. These are commonly seen in patients with poor immunity like is transplant patients, HIV, Anticancer therapy and patients with uncontrolled diabetes as well.

The symptoms in a patient with brain abscess, depends on its location, size, and the extent of inflammation and swelling around the abscess. They can have headache, nausea, vomiting drowsiness, seizures or any other neurological deficits.

Contras MRI of the brain will delineate the complete characteristics of the brain abscess

Treatment of brain abscess If brain abscess is not treated at the right moment, then, it can be fatal. IV antibiotics with or without surgery is the mainstream of treatment. Cephalosporins and vancomycin is used as the empirical antibiotics, usually for 6-8 weeks. If abscesses are large or if they are not responding to antibiotics, then, surgery to drain the abscess is required.