Cerebellar Abscess Caused by Rare Bacteria: A Case Report.
Marianna E Kapsetaki, Christopher Susanto, Athanasios Theofanopoulos et al.
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Case in brief
A 66-year-old man presented with dizziness, imbalance, and binocular diplopia, which progressed over three days. Neurological examination revealed various nystagmus types and ataxia. MRI identified a spherical cerebellar lesion with significant edema. Following a deterioration in his condition, he underwent suboccipital craniectomy and drainage. Cultures confirmed the abscess was due to Rothia dentocariosa and Streptococcus intermedius. Post-surgery, his symptoms improved with antibiotics.
What made this case unusual
This case highlights a cerebellar abscess caused by Rothia dentocariosa, a rare pathogen with limited previous reports.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider atypical bacterial pathogens like Rothia dentocariosa in cases of brain abscess, especially when common sources are not identified.
Why it matters
Understanding the potential for rare bacteria to cause significant neurological infections can aid in timely diagnosis and management.