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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 11(4):p 267-269, Oct - Dec. 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.10
Case Report
Dental Infection Leading to Brain Abscess
Sangeeta Sao, Sreelakshmi K.T., Anita Rawat, Kishalay Datta
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Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 11(4):p 267-269, Oct - Dec. 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.10
How Cite This Article:
Sangeeta Sao, Sreelakshmi K.T., Anita Rawat, et al. Dental Infection Leading to Brain Abscess. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025; 11(4): 267-9.Timeline
Received : August 04, 2025
Accepted : September 05, 2025
Published : December 30, 2025
Abstract
A brain abscess is a serious neurological condition involving the accumulation of pus within the brain tissue, often resulting from infections spreading from other parts of the body. Though commonly linked to infections of the ear, sinuses, or lungs, dental infections are a less frequent but noteworthy source. Poor oral hygiene, untreated dental caries, or periodontal disease can lead to local infections that may either have hematogenous spread or through contiguous structures to the brain, especially in immunocompromised individuals or those with predisposing factors. In this case report, we discuss brain abscess arising secondary to a neglected dental infection. The patient presented with non-specific symptoms such as headache, fever, and confusion, eventually developing focal neurological deficits. Neuroimaging confirmed the presence of a cerebral abscess, and further evaluation revealed an underlying dental source. Cultures often show mixed organisms, commonly including anaerobic bacteria typically found in the oral cavity. Management involved surgical drainage of the abscess and broadspectrum intravenous antibiotics, later tailored according to culture sensitivity. The case underscores the critical importance of timely dental intervention and the potential for severe complications if oral infections are left untreated. Early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for favourable outcomes in such cases.
References
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Sangeeta Sao, Sreelakshmi K.T., Anita Rawat, et al. Dental Infection Leading to Brain Abscess. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025; 11(4): 267-9.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| August 04, 2025 | September 05, 2025 | December 30, 2025 |
DOI: 10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.10
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Timeline
| Received | August 04, 2025 |
| Accepted | September 05, 2025 |
| Published | December 30, 2025 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
