Cerebral abscess
Object numberGC.8846-1
TitleCerebral abscess
DescriptionCerebral abscess in someone with septic inflammation of the frontal air sinuses
From a female aged 14 years who, the day following a slight blow on the nose which caused it to bleed, vomited several times and complained of pain in the left side of the face. The left upper eyelid became increasingly swollen and reddened during the subsequent five days (28. (2).e.4.), and there was left proptosis with conjunctivitis and ulceration of the cornea. Her temperature rose to 39ºC. Incision evacuated
malodorous pus which contained many micro-organisms. A more extensive operation was then performed in order to drain the ethmoidal air-sinuses and the orbit into the nose. Some improvement was interrupted by an attack of erysipelas and a week later meningitis ensued, and she died on the thirty-fourth day of her illness. Post mortem examination showed the roof of the orbit denuded of its periosteum, rough from decalcification and necrosis, and perforated by a circular opening which led to a perforation in the dura mater and an abscess in the left frontal lobe (28.(2).e.3.) of the brain (7.(1).e.9.). The accessory air-sinuses on the right side were healthy; the frontal, ethmoidal, and sphenoidal on the left side contained pus. Meningitis had extended from the cavernous sinus. The pus yielded streptococci and other organisms. (A. Logan Turner. Edinburgh med. journ. 1909. n.s. II. 423. Case VI.)
Section of the left frontal lobe revealed the presence of an abscess occupying the inferior and mesial portion of the lobe. The grey matter of the cortex alone separated the abscess cavity from the orbital plate, and a fine probe passed through the small aperture in the surface of the brain already described entered the abscess. The vertical diameter of the abscess measured one inch, the tranverse three quarters of an inch, and the antero-posterior, diameter one and a half inches. Its wall was well demarcated from the surrounding brain substance, and its surface was covered with necrotic tissue. An extensive basal suppurative lepto-meningitis extended over the interpeduncular space, the pons varolii and medulla spreading outwards over the lower surface of each lateral lobe of the cerebellum. There was pus in the left cavernous sinus.
Object nameBRAIN
Object categoryAnatomical, specimen