The number of cases of cerebral abscess has not changed significantly over time despite the wide use of novel antibiotics. On the surface, there appears to be a worldwide increase in the incidence of this condition. This has been attributed to the increase in the number of people with immunosuppression, especially, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The abscess in this set of patients of patients is however usually from opportunistic fungi and parasites as opposed to the bacterial infections in the general population.

Not withstanding the foregoing, the observed increase appears to be a result of our increase ability to make a larger number of ante-mortem diagnoses. The world-wide post-mortem diagnoses have consequently reduced.

There is great variability in the geographical occurrence of brain abscess with higher incidence reported in communities with poor social amenities. Thus, more cases are reported from the developing, than from the developed ones.

The condition commonly occurs in the first four decades of life. This reflects the prevalent of the common predisposing factors (otitis, sinusitis, open head injury, congenital heart disease) in this age group. It is rare in children below the age of two.

The reported male:female ratio ranges from 2:1 to 3:1.

The epidemiology of this condition has been reviewed by Svanteson* and his colleagues among others.

*Svanteson B., Nordstrom C. H., Rausing A.: Non-traumatic brain abscess. Acta Neurochir. (Wien), 94:57–65, 1988.

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