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- Title
Bacterial brain abscess in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma following radiotherapy: microbiology, clinical features and therapeutic outcomes.
- Authors
Peng-Hsiang Fang; Wei-Che Lin; Nai-Wen Tsai; Wen-Neng Chang; Chi-Ren Huang; Hsueh-Wen Chang; Tai-Lin Huang; Hsin-Ching Lin; Yu-Jin Lin; Ben-Chung Cheng; Ben Yu-Jih Su; Chia-Te Kung; Hung-Chen Wang; Cheng-Hsien Lu
- Abstract
Background: This study aimed to analyze the clinical features, causative pathogens, neuro-imaging findings, and therapeutic outcomes of bacterial brain abscess in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) following radiotherapy. Methods: NPC patients with bacterial brain abscess were evaluated. Their clinical data were collected over a 22-year period. For comparison, the clinical features, causative pathogens, neuro-imaging findings, and therapeutic outcomes between NPC and non-NPC patients were analyzed. Results: NPC accounted for 5.7% (12/210) of the predisposing factors, with Viridans streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus as the two most common causative pathogens. Significant statistical analysis between the two groups (NPC and non-NPC patients) included chronic otitis media (COM) as the underlying disease, post-radiation necrosis by neuro-imaging, and the temporal lobe as the most common site of brain abscesses. The fatality rate in patients with and without NPC was 16.7% and 20.7%, respectively. Conclusions: NPC patients with bacterial brain abscess frequently have COM as the underlying disease. Neuro-imaging often reveals both post-radiation necrosis and the temporal lobe as the most common site of brain abscesses, the diagnosis of which is not always a straightforward process. Radiation necrosis can mimic brain abscess on neuro-imaging and pose significant diagnostic challenges. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for survival.
- Subjects
CANCER; RADIOTHERAPY; MICROBIOLOGY; PATHOGENIC microorganisms; STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus
- Publication
BMC Infectious Diseases, 2012, Vol 12, Issue 1, p204
- ISSN
1471-2334
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/1471-2334-12-204