The role of computerised tomography in the diagnosis and management of intracranial abscess.

A retrospective study has been undertaken of patients with intracerebral abscess and subdural empyema. Computerised tomography (CT) offers a rapid, non-invasive mode of diagnosis with accurate localisation and assessment of multiplicity of lesions. We propose that early diagnosis and correctly timed surgical intervention has lessened the mortality rate. CT allows for easy follow-up of patients and has allowed us in one case, to treat an inaccessible abscess conservatively.