Management of community-acquired brain abscess and intracranial empyema: a survey of UK neurosurgical centres

PURPOSE: We sought to describe current perceptions and attitudes to management of of brain abscess (BA) or sub-/extra-dural empyema (SDE/EDE) in the United Kingdom (UK) to compare this to the 2024 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases BA guidelines. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey of infection specialists (IS) and neurosurgeons (NS) at neurosurgical centres across the UK. RESULTS: IS from 27/39 (69%) and NS from 18/39 (46%) UK neurosurgical centres participated. All IS reported use of a third-generation cephalosporin as empirical antibiotic therapy, 57/61 (93%) alongside metronidazole, 19/57 (33%) preferring oral metronidazole throughout treatment. Most IS (46/60, 76.7%) consider switching to oral antibiotics prior to completing 6 weeks intravenous (IV) therapy, with 33/46 (71.7%) considering a 1-2 week minimum IV duration if there has been neurosurgical intervention. Most NS (22/25, 88%) agreed that neurosurgical intervention is indicated for any BA ≥ 2.5 cm diameter, most (21/25, 84%) favouring burr hole aspiration. For SDE/EDE only 12/25 (48%) of NS would surgically intervene in all circumstances. Most IS and NS (72/76, 94.7%) would consider intrathecal antibiotics in ruptured BA with ventriculitis; only 11/74 (14%) reported experience with intracavitary antimicrobials. 44/74 (59%) reported using steroids in BA, while 20/74 (27%) reported avoiding steroids. Reimaging was favoured at 2-3 weeks by NS, IS favoured 4-8 weeks, or not reimaging. CONCLUSION: There are areas of marked variation in the management of BA and SDE/EDE in the UK, particularly early switch from IV to oral antibiotics, SDE surgery, repeat brain imaging and use of steroids.