Ruptured intraventricular brain abscesses due to Fusobacterium nucleatum with obstructive hydrocephalus: illustrative case

• DOI: 10.3171/case22195
• Publication Date: 2023-01-16T08:06:25Z
• Authors: Nina Srour; Audrey Demand; Yi Zhang; William Musick; Annette Lista; Jiejian Lin
• Keywords: Fusobacterium nucleatum; Brain abscess; Fusobacterium; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Ventriculitis

BACKGROUND Fusobacterium spp. are strictly anaerobic microorganisms and normal flora of the oropharyngeal, gastrointestinal, female genital tracts. It is commonly associated with periodontal disease, pharyngitis, mastoiditis, tonsillitis, a tendency to abscess formation. OBSERVATIONS The authors report case brain abscesses complicated by ventriculitis obstructive hydrocephalus caused nucleatum suspected odontogenic source. While repeated bacterial cultures remained negative, isolate was identified using sequencing. LESSONS Empirical antimicrobial coverage for F. should be considered in patients presenting abscess. Genetic sequencing utilizing 16S ribosomal RNA molecular diagnostic testing may assist microorganism identification guide therapy.