Zhang et al reported symptoms associated with a brain abscess. The authors are from Chongqing Medical University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital.
Patient selection: brain abscess
Clinical presentation:
(1) headache (about 50%)
(2) fever
(3) seizures
(4) motor and/or sensory changes
(5) altered mental status
(6) cognitive impairment
(7) nausea and vomiting
(8) dizziness (vertigo)
(9) unexplained fatigue
The onset depends on how many, how large and how fast abscesses form. A single, small abscess may have slowly evolving symptoms.
The diagnosis may require a high level of suspicion, especially if there are one or more risk factors present
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