Abscess superimposed on brain tumor: two case reports and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND

An abscess involving an already present brain tumor is a rare occurrence.

METHOD

Two cases of an abscess superimposed on a brain tumor are presented and discussed. The medical literature is reviewed, and all reported cases are compared to our own.

RESULTS

Only 15 cases of an abscess associated with a brain tumor were found in the literature, to which we add 2 of our own. About 60% were intrasellar or parasellar tumors. The origin of such an abscess at this location is by direct extension of the germs from a contiguous infected sinus. Our 2 additional cases were away from the sinuses. One is an ependymoma of the posterior fossa, and the other, a falcotentorial occipital meningioma, each with a superimposed abscess.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose an alternate route for the formation of an abscess in conjunction with a brain tumor.