Table:

Clinical information and 1H MR spectroscopic findings in 15 patients with pyogenic brain abscesses

Patient No./Sex/ Age (y)Chief ComplaintLocation of AbscessPus Culture MicroorganismsTreatmentOutcomeDuration of SymptomsMR Spectroscopy before/after Starting AntibioticsMR Spectroscopic Findings
PatternNAACrChoSuccAceAlaAALacLip
1/F/45Fever, headache, unstable gaitLeft cerebellumBacteroides fragilisSurgery/medicalCured10 days1 day afterA++++++++++++++++++
2/M/74Right hemiparesisLeft parietalStreptococcus intermediusSurgery/medicalCured30 days1 day beforeA++++++
3/M/69Fever, right hemiparesisLeft parietalB fragilisSurgery/medicalDied7 days1 day beforeA++++++++++++++
4/M/48HeadacheLeft frontalNegativeSurgery/medicalCured10 days2 days beforeA++++++++++++
5/M/45Fever, headacheRight temporalStreptococcus mitis, Enterococcus faecalisSurgery/medicalCured12 days2 days afterA+++++++++++
6/M/43Consciousness changeRight basal ganglionEubacterium lentumSurgery/medicalCured3 days1 day afterA+++++++++++
7/M/47Headache, left homonymous hemianopiaRight occipitalS intermediusSurgery/medicalCured14 days1 day afterB+++
8/F/28Right homonymous hemianopiaLeft occipitalS intermediusSurgery/medicalCured21 days2 days beforeB+++
9/M/76Fever, consciousness changeLeft temporalNegativeSurgery/medicalCured14 days1 day afterB++++++
10/F/69Left hemiparesisRight frontalStaphylococcus aureusSurgery/medicalCured3 days1 day beforeB++++++
11/F/29Fever, headacheLeft frontalPseudomonas aeruginosaSurgery/medicalCured2 wks2 days afterB++++
12/M/72Fever, left hemiparesisRight parietalS intermediusSurgery/medicalCured10 days2 days beforeB++++++
13/M/72Left hemiparesis, infective endocarditisMultipleStreptococcus constellatusSurgery/medicalDied30 days1 day afterB+++
14/F/78Fever, consciousness changeRight temporalP aeruginosaSurgery/medicalCured10 days2 days afterB+++
15/M/72Consciousnes change, infective endocarditisMultiple military (<5 mm)S mitis (blood culture)MedicalCured3 days1 day afterC++++++
  • Notes.—Negative sign indicates no bacterial growth; +, small peak; ++, moderate peak; +++, large peak; Ace, acetate; Ala, alanine; AA, amino acids; Lac, lactate; Succ, succinate; NAA, N-acetylaspartate; Cho, choline; Cr, creatine-phosphocreatine; Lip, lipids.