Demonstration of purulent bacterial intracranial infections by computed tomography

Abstract

Computed tomography is shown to be an important modality in both diagnosis and management of cerebral infections. Representative findings from CT scans of patients with purulent bacterial infection of the meninges, cerebrum, ventricles, and adjacent structures are presented. Material is taken from 2,645 CT scans done in a 1 year period at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It is hoped that the use of CT will lead to a decrease of morbidity and mortality in entities such as brain abscess and subdural empyema.