Biomaterial Database

Neuropathological and computerized tomographic findings in experimental brain abscess. 1981

R H Britt, and D R Enzmann, and A S Yeager

The neuropathological progression of brain abscess formation was studied experimentally at sequential stages in dogs, and the findings correlated with the appearance on computerized tomographic (CT) brain scans. The evolution of brain-abscess formation was divided into four stages based on histological criteria: early cerebritis (Days 1 to 3); late cerebritis (Days 4 to 9); early capsule (Days 10 to 13); and late capsule (Days 14 and later). The cerebritis stage was characterized by prominent perivascular cuffing by inflammatory cells in the area adjacent to the developing necrotic center. However, the early elements of capsule formation appeared with the presence of fibroblasts by Day 5. The CT scans showed ring-shaped contrast enhancement by Day 3. Delayed scans at 30 minutes revealed diffusion of the contrast material into the developing necrotic center, forming a solid lesion. In lesions that were well encapsulated (14 days and older), five distinct histological zones were apparent: 1) a well formed necrotic center; 2) a peripheral zone of inflammatory cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts; 3) the dense collagenous capsule; 4) a layer of neovascularity associated with continuing cerebritis; and 5) reactive astrocytes, gliosis, and cerebral edema external to the capsule. The CT appearance of well encapsulated abscesses showed a typical ring-shaped contrast-enhancing lesion. On the delayed scans, the "ring" did not fill in with contrast enhancement. The diameter of the ring correlated best with the presence of cerebritis (perivascular infiltrates in the adventitial sheaths of vessels surrounding the abscess). The discussion focuses on the relevance of this study to the current management of patients with brain abscess.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009336	Necrosis	The death of cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury or failure of the blood supply.
D001922	Brain Abscess	A circumscribed collection of purulent exudate in the brain, due to bacterial and other infections. The majority are caused by spread of infected material from a focus of suppuration elsewhere in the body, notably the PARANASAL SINUSES, middle ear (see EAR, MIDDLE); HEART (see also ENDOCARDITIS, BACTERIAL), and LUNG. Penetrating CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA and NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES may also be associated with this condition. Clinical manifestations include HEADACHE; SEIZURES; focal neurologic deficits; and alterations of consciousness. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp712-6)	Brain Abscess, Child,Brain Abscess, Multiple,Brain Abscess, Pyogenic,Brain Abscess, Sterile,Cerebral Abscess,Abscess, Brain,Abscess, Cerebral,Abscess, Child Brain,Abscess, Multiple Brain,Abscess, Pyogenic Brain,Abscesses, Cerebral,Abscesses, Multiple Brain,Brain Abscesses,Brain Abscesses, Multiple,Brain Abscesses, Pyogenic,Brain Abscesses, Sterile,Cerebral Abscesses,Child Brain Abscess,Multiple Brain Abscess,Multiple Brain Abscesses,Pyogenic Brain Abscess,Pyogenic Brain Abscesses,Sterile Brain Abscess,Sterile Brain Abscesses
D003094	Collagen	A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of SKIN; CONNECTIVE TISSUE; and the organic substance of bones (BONE AND BONES) and teeth (TOOTH).	Avicon,Avitene,Collagen Felt,Collagen Fleece,Collagenfleece,Collastat,Dermodress,Microfibril Collagen Hemostat,Pangen,Zyderm,alpha-Collagen,Collagen Hemostat, Microfibril,alpha Collagen
D004195	Disease Models, Animal	Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases.	Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D004660	Encephalitis	Inflammation of the BRAIN due to infection, autoimmune processes, toxins, and other conditions. Viral infections (see ENCEPHALITIS, VIRAL) are a relatively frequent cause of this condition.	Inflammation, Brain,Rasmussen Syndrome,Brain Inflammation,Encephalitis, Rasmussen,Rasmussen Encephalitis,Rasmussen's Syndrome,Brain Inflammations
D005911	Gliosis	The production of a dense fibrous network of neuroglia; includes astrocytosis, which is a proliferation of astrocytes in the area of a degenerative lesion.	Astrocytosis,Astrogliosis,Glial Scar,Astrocytoses,Glial Scars,Scar, Glial
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000900	Anti-Bacterial Agents	Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA.	Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D013194	Staining and Labeling	The marking of biological material with a dye or other reagent for the purpose of identifying and quantitating components of tissues, cells or their extracts.	Histological Labeling,Staining,Histological Labelings,Labeling and Staining,Labeling, Histological,Labelings, Histological,Stainings