Brain abscess mimicking brain metastasis in breast cancer

Publication date: Available online 23 November 2015 Source:Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute Author(s): Pooja Khullar, Niloy R. Datta, Inderjeet Kaur Wahi, Sabeena Kataria 61year old female presented with chief complaints of headache for 30days, fever for 10days, altered behavior for 10days and convulsion for 2days. She was diagnosed and treated as a case of carcinoma of left breast 5years ago. MRI brain showed a lobulated lesion in the left frontal lobe. She came to our hospital for whole brain radiation as a diagnosed case of carcinoma of breast with brain metastasis. Review of MRI brain scan, revealed metastasis or query infective pathology. MR spectroscopy of the lesion revealed choline: creatinine and choline: NAA (N-Acetylaspartate) ratios of ∼1.6 and 1.5 respectively with the presence of lactate within the lesion suggestive of infective pathology. She underwent left fronto temporal craniotomy and evacuation of abscess and subdural empyema. Gram stain showed gram positive cocci. After 1month of evacuation and treatment she was fine. This case suggested a note of caution in every case of a rapidly evolving space-occupying lesion independent of the patient’s previous history.
Source: Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research