A bronchial foreign body leading to multifocal brain abscesses: A case report

Background: Brain abscesses represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Their clinical presentation is often in the form of a single abscess. Multiple cerebral abscesses are very rare in pediatrics.

Case Description: We report the case of a 12-year-old child admitted for febrile conscience disorder, the brain imaging revealed multiple bilateral cerebral abscesses. The etiological work-up highlighted the presence of a bronchial foreign body responsible for cerebral abscesses by hematogenous dissemination. This case illustrates the rarity of multiple cerebral abscesses in children, and suggests an unusual link with pneumopathy secondary to inhalation of a foreign body.

Conclusion: Multiple brain abscesses are rare in children and require essential surgical and antibiotic management. Although frequently associated with ENT or cardiac infections, this case illustrates a rare association with foreign body aspiration.