Brain Abscess of Otorhinolaryngologic Origin: Study of 80 Cases in the Neurosurgery Department of Conakry University Hospital Center

Abstract

Introduction: Brain abscesses are serious conditions that can be life-threatening if left untreated. The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of cerebral abscesses of otorhinolaryngological origin in our department. Methods and Materials: This was a retrospective study of 80 cerebral abscess files of otorhinolaryngological origin collected over a period of 5 years (January 2014-December 2018) at the neurosurgery department of Conakry University Hospital Center. Results: Abscesses of otorhinolaryngological origin represented 72% of all abscesses. The mean age was 14.7 years with a sex ratio of 4. The clinical picture was dominated by fever (92%), focal signs (55%) and intracranial hypertension (46%). The entrance door was 84% sinus. The frontal site was predominant, 44 cases. Eighty-two percent of patients underwent surgery and 18% were treated with antibiotic therapy alone. The evolution was favorable in 75% of the cases with a mortality rate of 15%. Conclusion: Brain abscesses are a medical-surgical emergency. The forms of otorhinolaryngologic origin are dominated by sinusitis. Despite the therapeutic difficulties, the prognosis remains acceptable in our study, 15% of deaths.