Retrospective analysis of 620 cases of brain abscess in Chinese patients in a single center over a 62-year period

Background Despite advances in laboratory diagnostics, antibiotic regimens, and neurosurgical techniques, brain abscess (BA) remains a potentially fatal infectious disease. This study analyzed clinical and epidemiological aspects of BA in Chinese patients treated at a single center during a 62-year period. Method We retrospectively analyzed 620 BA patients treated at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, PR China from 1952 to 2014. Because of the initiation of imaging technology use in 1992, and other specific changes, we analyzed data over three study periods: 1952–1972, 1980–1991, and 2002–2014. Information including incidence, sex, age, community distribution, BA size and location, therapeutic method, prognosis and outcome of BA patients was collected and evaluated. Results Our study included 620 BA patients. The percentage mortality significantly decreased from 22.8 % in 1952 to 6.3 % in 2014 ( p < 0.001). Although the incidence of BA was higher in males than females, there was no significant change in the male/female incidence ratio over time: 2.5 in 1952–1972, 2.6 in 1980–1991, and 2.2 in 2002–2014. The cryptogenic infection incidence significantly increased over time ( p < 0.001). The number of positive bacterial cultures significantly decreased over the three study periods ( p < 0.01). Conclusions The prognosis of patients with BA has gradually improved over the past 62 years in Tianjin, China. This may be because improvements in neurosurgical techniques, cranial imaging, and antimicrobial regimens have facilitated less invasive and more precise neurosurgical procedures.