TITLE:
Intracranial Abscess Post Intravenous Misuse of Transdermal Fentanyl in an Immunocompetent Patient
AUTHORS:
Hazel Serrao-Brown
KEYWORDS:
Intracranial Abscess, Transdermal Fentanyl, Intravenous Drug Use
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.8 No.2,
March
8,
2018
ABSTRACT: Infections, including intracranial abscesses, are a
well-known and potentially serious complication of intravenous drug abuse.
There have been increasing reports of intravenous misuse of transdermal
Fentanyl, with severe sequelae. Intracranial abscesses in intravenous drug
users tend to involve uncommon pathogens, and may present with atypical
symptoms, which can lead to delayed
diagnosis and inadequate treatment. We present the case of a 28-year-old female, with a history of intravenous misuse of transdermal Fentanyl, who was
found to have intracranial abscesses with Fusobacterium nucleatum and Nocardia species,
causing significant vasogenic oedema and mass effect.