HBOT - Intracranial abscess:

Intracranial abscesses are the result of an infection that occurs when bacteria and certain types of fungi gain entry to the tissues of the brain.

The presence of bacteria and fungi in the brain leads to the formation of pockets of pus that are filled with dead and live bacteria. The formation of these pus pockets result in areas of swelling and pressure in and around the areas affected by the infection.

Without treatment the pus pockets begin to swell causing inflammation of brain tissue, progressive swelling and pressure on other structures of the brain. Abscess formation in the brain can lead to devastating complications which could ultimately result in stroke, hemorrhage, or other serious injury including death.

Antibiotics are used for treatment but they may not penetrate well into brain abscesses. Furthermore, white blood cells, which kill infecting bacteria, may not have enough oxygen to effectively eliminate the infection if they are functioning deep in the abscess at a distance from their normal blood supply. White blood cells require a minimum level of oxygen to kill bacteria.

The goal of treating an intracranial abscess by hyperbaric oxygen therapy is to reduce swelling in the brain by treating the infection and ultimately shrinking the abscessed tissue.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is approved as an adjunct treatment to surgery, antibiotic and anti­fungal treatment.

The fungi and bacteria involved in the infection of brain tissue are anaerobic bacteria which means that they do not survive well in environments that contain high levels of oxygen. As a result, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) provides an additional layer of antimicrobial protection by mounting a direct assault on the bacteria and fungi responsible to the abscess formation. The high levels of oxygen provided by HBOT ensures that traditional therapies are effective by stopping the spread and reproduction of deadly bacteria and by killing any that are present in the brain tissue.

Most of the patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen have returned to their regular daily activity after recovery, with less apparent brain damage. Therapy with hyperbaric oxygen carries minimal risks.