Cerebral abscess on Merseyside 1980-1988.

We report a retrospective study of 62 patients presenting to The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery with cerebral abscess in the 8-year period between 1980 and 1988. The study shows that while the incidence of cerebral abscess has not altered from the previous decade, aetiological factors have changed and major developments in the diagnosis and management of the condition have resulted in a marked reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with brain abscess.