Nocardia brain abscess in a diabetic patient

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2008 Jan-Mar;51(1):151-3. doi: 10.4103/0377-4929.40432.

Abstract

Brain abscess due to disseminated nocardia infection is an acute medical emergency among immunocompromised patients. We report a case of rapidly progressive nocardia brain abscess in an apparently healthy diabetic individual. The close similarity of the radiological features with those of malignancy and tuberculosis may delay the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) nocardiosis. A high index of suspicion and early intervention like stereotactic brain biopsy remain the cornerstone to increase the chance of positive clinical outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Complications / microbiology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nocardia / isolation & purification*
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Radiography
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / diagnosis