Brain abscess laboratory tests: Difference between revisions

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{{CMG}}
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{{CMG}}'; {{AE}} {{FH}}
{{Brain abscess}}
{{Brain abscess}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
* There are basically no confirmatory blood studies.
Most laboratory tests are not diagnostic for brain abscess. In 25% of findings, the [[CSF]] is normal or shows unspecific changes. An increase of the [[erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] has also been associated with brain abscess.
:* Patients usually have a moderate [[leukocytosis]] (< 20k), yet up to 40% can have a normal [[WBC]] count.
 
:* The [[ESR]] is usually elevated in the 40 – 50 range, but again, can also be normal.
==Laboratory Findings==
:* [[Blood culture]]s are usually negative, but should be obtained just in case they are positive.
Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of brain abscesses include [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF) analysis and [[erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] (ESR).<ref name='"pop82">{{Citation
:* The [[LP]] is usually not helpful, and the risks are thought to outweigh the benefits.
| last1  = Schlossberg
::* If done, the protein and cell counts are usually elevated and [[CSF]] Cx are usually negative.
| first1 = David
* Obtaining tissue is obviously the gold standard and will demonstrate the pathogen in close to 100% of cases.
| lastauthoramp = yes
| title    = Clinical Infectious Disease
| publisher = Cambridge University Press
| place    = New York, New York
| edition = 1st
| year    = 2008
}}</ref> Blood examinations may reveal [[inflammatory]] signs with an elevation of C-reactive proteins.<ref name="p82">{{Citation
| last1  = Hähnel
| first1 = Stefan
| lastauthoramp = yes
| title    = Inflammatory Diseases of the Brain
| publisher = Springer
| place    = Berlin, Germany
| edition = 2nd
| year    = 2009
}}</ref>
* In approximately 25% of findings, the [[CSF]] is normal or shows unspecific changes.  
** It is difficult to isolate the pathogens from the CSF due to a lack of communication of the abscess with the CSF spaces.<ref name="p82">{{Citation
| last1  = Hähnel
| first1 = Stefan
| lastauthoramp = yes
| title    = Inflammatory Diseases of the Brain
| publisher = Springer
| place    = Berlin, Germany
| edition = 2nd
| year    = 2009
}}</ref>
* Some patients have been seen to herniate after CSF procedure.
** In one study, 41 out of 120 patients deteriorated within 48 hours, and 25 of these individuals died.  
* There is a moderate increase in ESR.<ref name='"pop82">{{Citation
| last1  = Schlossberg
| first1 = David
| lastauthoramp = yes
| title    = Clinical Infectious Disease
| publisher = Cambridge University Press
| place    = New York, New York
| edition = 1st
| year    = 2008
}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Up-To-Date]]
[[Category:Neurology]]
[[Category:Neurosurgery]]
[[Category:Emergency medicine]]
[[Category:Infectious disease]]

Latest revision as of 20:40, 29 July 2020

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]'; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farwa Haideri [2]

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Overview

Most laboratory tests are not diagnostic for brain abscess. In 25% of findings, the CSF is normal or shows unspecific changes. An increase of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate has also been associated with brain abscess.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of brain abscesses include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).[1] Blood examinations may reveal inflammatory signs with an elevation of C-reactive proteins.[2]

  • In approximately 25% of findings, the CSF is normal or shows unspecific changes.
    • It is difficult to isolate the pathogens from the CSF due to a lack of communication of the abscess with the CSF spaces.[2]
  • Some patients have been seen to herniate after CSF procedure.
    • In one study, 41 out of 120 patients deteriorated within 48 hours, and 25 of these individuals died.
  • There is a moderate increase in ESR.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Schlossberg, David (2008), Clinical Infectious Disease (1st ed.), New York, New York: Cambridge University Press
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hähnel, Stefan (2009), Inflammatory Diseases of the Brain (2nd ed.), Berlin, Germany: Springer

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