Clinical Patterns of Focal Intracranial Suppuration, and Common Causative Organisms, as Seen at the Kenyatta National Hospital ; a Prospective Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Focal intracranial suppuration continues (FIS) to be serious life threatening condition in developing nations due to lack of widespread availability of computerized tomography, and in the background of immunosuppression secondary to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. A previous local study at Kenyatta national hospital revealed a 1 in 3 chance of mortality in patients presenting with FIS. STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the current demographics, clinical presentations, Location, risk factors and microbiologic profile of patient presenting to KNH with FIS. STUDY DESIGN AND SITE: This was a prospective descriptive cross sectional study carried out at the Kenyatta National Hospital. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: All patients with FIS meeting inclusion criteria. EXPECTED MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: 42 Patients were enrolled in the study. 87% were males. 33% of patients were between the ages of 26-45. 62% were referrals from satellite facilities, 50% of which were in Nairobi. The mean duration of symptoms was between 8-14 days. With the commonest symptoms being headache and hemipsaresis. Most were post traumatic(42.9%). 69% of the abscess’ were sterile. The commonest pattern of FIS was intraparenchymal abscess with subdural extension. (50%). The commonest location was frontal.(31%)