Brain Abscess Originating From Odontogenic Infection: Rare But Life Threatening Sequelae of Dental Origin

Abstract

Archeological excavations have revealed that the cause of the several deaths of the pharaohs of Egypt was brain abscess originating from foci of dental infection. Effective drug treatment and medical regimens for the treatment of brain abscess were unavailable, until the age of modern antibiotics and advanced surgical techniques. Infective process of any origination in the brain may lead to a suppurative abscess that walls itself off (i.e., encapsulates preventing infectious dissemination) or otherwise infection spreads throughout the brain resulting in the brain necrosis and a life threatening situation. The typical pathways of dental infection reaching the brain are described by the spread of existing infection (suppuration) through boney plate and myofacial planes into the cranium is a pathway to the brain. These spaces describe fibrous tissue in specific areas of cranial bone and muscles that facilitate minor movements of contiguous structures. Connections between these structures can become pathways for suppurative fluids from dental infections to reach the brain and initiates an abscess. Dental infection of periodontitis, periodontal or endodontal origin may find a pathway to the brain by suppuration eroding through the floor of the maxillofacial sinus, trauma into the cranium by the means of circulatory system, through the lymphatic system.

Keywords: Pathways to the brain, brain infection, dental infection, suppuration migration

Cite this Article

P. Flaer, S. Badri, J. Macajoux et al. Brain Abscess Originating From Odontogenic Infection: Rare But Life Threatening Sequelae Of Dental Origin. Research and Reviews: Journal of Dentistry. 2016; 7(1): 12–16p.