Prevotella brain abscesses and stroke following dental extraction in a young patient: a case report and review of the literature

Intern Med. 2014;53(16):1881-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.1299. Epub 2014 Aug 15.

Abstract

A brain abscess is a life-threatening infection. There are few reports describing Prevotella bacteremia with middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion and brain abscess following dental extraction in the literature. We herein describe a 32-year-old healthy man who experienced headache after tooth extraction. He was not correctly diagnosed until he experienced a stroke and a blood culture revealed Prevotella denticola weeks later. This case and our detailed review of related cases highlight the importance of thorough medical history-taking and clinical evaluations. Brain abscess formation should be considered in previously healthy patients with fever, stroke, and a recent history of tooth extraction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / complications
  • Bacteroidaceae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Brain Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevotella / isolation & purification*
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Stroke / microbiology*
  • Tooth Extraction / adverse effects*