Possible complications of a brain abscess include:
- Brain damage. This can range from mild impairment, such as slightly slurred speech, to serious impairment such as permanent disability. Mild impairments may improve with time, but serious impairments are more likely to be permanent. Brain damage is more of a risk when the diagnosis of a brain abscess was delayed and treatment did not begin quickly enough. Brain abscesses can now be diagnosed very easily with a CT or MRI scan, so the risk of serious brain damage is very low.
- Epilepsy. A small number of people go on to develop epilepsy, a condition that causes repeated fits or seizures. Epilepsy is a long-term condition and symptoms can usually be controlled using medication. For more information, see the Health A-Z topic on Epilepsy.
- Meningitis. In some cases, especially those involving children, a brain abscess can develop into meningitis, a life-threatening infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain. For more information, see the Health A-Z topic on Meningitis.
- Return of the abscess.
