Abscess within a brain metastasis

Abstract

Detection of metastases especially intracranial metastases signals a poor prognosis in a patient with cancer. Solitary cystic metastasis is often difficult to differentiate from intra-cerebral abscess which can also occur in these patients. However, the co-existence of an abscess within a CNS metastasis is a rare event. At surgery, a purulent exudate within discrete metastatic tumours was identified. Pathological and microbiological examinations confirmed the coexistence of an abscess within a metastatic carcinoma. This case highlights the importance of considering intratumoral abscesses.

Keywords

• abscess
• metastatic
• cervical carcinoma