Are dental infections a cause of brain abscess? Case report and review of the literature

Oral Dis. 2001 Jan;7(1):61-5.

Abstract

Dental pathology and/or treatment have been linked to a small number of brain abscesses as possible sources of infection. A further case is presented, in which a dental site is implicated. A review of the evidence was undertaken. A wide range of dental procedures had been implicated. In some cases the brain isolate was not of dental origin. In many, the diagnosis was one of exclusion. In order to confirm the role of odontogenic infection in the pathogenesis of brain abscess, modern sampling techniques should be used to precisely identify the isolates. The causal organism should be identified in both oral and cranial sites.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Abscess / etiology*
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology
  • Focal Infection, Dental / complications*
  • Focal Infection, Dental / microbiology
  • Hemiplegia / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Periodontal Abscess / complications*
  • Periodontal Abscess / microbiology
  • Streptococcus sanguis / isolation & purification
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed