Reported here are two cases of delayed postsurgical brucella abscess within the cranium, treated successfully by reoperation and appropriate medical therapy. Both patients had an occupational exposure to the pathogenic organism. Systemic symptoms of brucellosis became manifest postoperatively in case I and were present in case II long before operation. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology and positive culture. Later an intracranial abscess developed in both cases at the previous operative sites. Hematogenous spread of bacteria to the locally low resistance host tissue was speculated as the possible mechanism. Successful management was accomplished by reoperation, comprised of local drainage and debridement followed by a combined anti brucella drug regimen for a period of 6 months.

Keywords: Brucellosis. Brain abscess, Local host resistance, Postoperative infection.

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