Brain Abscess

A brain abscess usually originates from an infection in some other part of the body travelling through possibly the ear canal or sinuses and causing inflammation and infection to occur in the tissues of the brain. A person could also develop a brain abscess from bacteria entering the brain through a skull fracture due to trauma or after intracranial surgery.

The lesions caused by a brain abscess can cause increased intracranial pressure, infection, and damage to brain tissues. Some symptoms of a brain abscess can include headache, vomiting, confusion, fever, lack of energy, weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, and in worst case scenarios, coma. All of these symptoms depend, of course, on the location of the lesion.

The most common imaging technique used to visualize a brain abscess in CT with contrast. When IV contrast is administered, it is not able to pass through the capsule of the abscess but instead forms a ring around it. This is known as a "ring enhancing lesion" and is the most tell tale sign of a brain abscess.

Treatment for brain abscesses vary according to the location and type of lesion but many include antibiotics, lowering intracranial pressure, and in some cases, surgical drainage. These treatments once again depend on the location and severity of the abscess.

I found all the information contained in this blog on the wikipedia website.