Cerebrovascular Surgery (Aneurysm)

Cerebrovascular surgery is the surgical repair of the blood vessels that supply the brain with oxygen. Abscess in the central nervous system is uncommon, serious and life-threatening infections. They may arise secondarily due to infection or some other area or after skull trauma or surgery, and, rarely, following meningitis. They manifest with the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Mental status changes
• Focal neurologic deficits
• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting

Initially, infections may be treated with antibiotics, antimicrobials, corticosteroids or other drugs to provide symptomatic relief to the patient. But once the abscess has formed, surgical drainage is required. The procedures used are aspiration through a bur hole and complete excision after craniotomy. It may include:

• Needle aspiration using a stereotactic procedure with the guidance of ultrasound or CT scanning
• A craniotomy is indicated in cases of multiloculated abscesses and in those whose conditions fail to resolve
• Ventricular drainage combined with administration of intravenous and/or intrathecal antimicrobials is indicated in abscesses that have ruptured into the ventricles
• Excision is indicated in the posterior fossa or multiloculated abscesses