Brain abscess caused by Trueperella bernardiae in a child

BACKGROUND: Recurrent intracranial abscesses secondary to refractory otitis media present a challenge which demands multidisciplinary collaboration. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the first known case of pediatric brain abscess caused by a polymicrobial infection of Trueperella bernardiae, Actinomyces europaeus, and mixed anaerobic species resulting from acute-on-chronic suppurative left otitis media. This patient required two separate stereotactic abscess drainages and a complex course of antibiotics for successful management. CONCLUSION: Surgery is essential in the management of cerebral abscess both in agent identification and therapeutic drainage. Management of abscesses secondary to unusual and polymicrobial organisms often requires consultation from other medical and surgical specialties.