# Brain Abscess From Dental Bacteria: A Case Report

**Authors:** Magdalena Staniszewska, Kamil Krzesniak, Pawel Kolasa, Beata Smielak

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.87768 · Cureus · 2025-07-12

## TL;DR

A brain abscess caused by dental bacteria is reported, highlighting the importance of dental evaluation in such cases.

## Contribution

The case demonstrates a rare but possible link between dental infections and brain abscesses.

## Key findings

- The brain abscess was caused by oral bacteria Streptococcus constellatus and Fusobacterium gonidiaformans.
- MRI identified a mass lesion in the right parieto-occipital region consistent with an abscess.
- The patient had a history of a submandibular abscess three years prior.

## Abstract

A brain abscess (BA) is a purulent infection of the central nervous system and can be associated with dental procedures. The paper presents a case of a patient diagnosed with an odontogenic BA. On admission, the patient was awake, alert, and oriented (Glasgow Coma Scale 15). The patient reported undergoing excision and drainage of an abscess in the submandibular area three years earlier. An MRI of the head showed a mass lesion (34x19x25 mm) located in the right parieto-occipital region, and an abscess was suspected. During the procedure, puncture and evacuation of the contents of the abscess in the right parieto-occipital area were performed. Oral microorganisms, including Streptococcus constellatus and Fusobacterium gonidiaformans, were isolated from the brain pus. A thorough radiographic and dental examination should be conducted during hospitalization in these patients. Always evaluate for periapical pathology in unexplained BAs, even in the absence of oral symptoms.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** infection (MESH:D007239), BA (MESH:D001922), abscess (MESH:D000038), mass (MESH:C536030)
- **Species:** Streptococcus constellatus (species) [taxon 76860], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Fusobacterium gonidiaformans (species) [taxon 849]

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12337240/full.md

## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12337240/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12337240