After having a seizure at home, a 5-year-old girl is taken to the emergency department. The patient collapsed at the dinner table about an hour ago and developed full body shaking and urinary incontinence. Her mother claims that the girl has been suffering from a mild headache and fatigue for the past few days. The patient is sleepy and difficult to rouse during the examination. Vital signs are typical. The cardiopulmonary exam is unremarkable. The image below depicts a CT scan of the head: Which of the following historical details is most relevant in establishing this patient's diagnosis?

Question

After having a seizure at home, a 5-year-old girl is taken to the emergency department. The patient collapsed at the dinner table about an hour ago and developed full body shaking and urinary incontinence. Her mother claims that the girl has been suffering from a mild headache and fatigue for the past few days. The patient is sleepy and difficult to rouse during the examination. Vital signs are typical. The cardiopulmonary exam is unremarkable. The image below depicts a CT scan of the head:  Which of the following historical details is most relevant in establishing this patient's diagnosis?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: On imaging, a brain abscess appears as a ring-enhancing lesion and typically causes headache, fever, and neurologic symptoms (eg, seizure). Pathogenesis frequently involves direct spread from infections of the head and neck space, such as acute otitis media.

After Having a Seizure at Home, a 5-Year-Old Girl Is