Clostridial brain abscesses.

Ten patients with clostridial abscesses of the brain are presented. Despite the presence of gas within the cerebral hemispheres and Clostridium welchii cultured from the pus obtained, the outcome of all patients managed with burrhole aspiration of the abscess was good. There were no deaths and eight of the ten patients had no residual deficit. Clostridial infections of the brain, unlike those of the soft tissues of the body, have a good outcome with conservative surgery and appropriate antibiotics.