RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Fatal thalamic abscess secondary to dental infection JF BMJ Case Reports FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP bcr2015212589 DO 10.1136/bcr-2015-212589 VO 2015 A1 Shadi Basyuni A1 Valmiki Sharma A1 Vijay Santhanam A1 Ashley Ferro YR 2015 UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2015/bcr-2015-212589.abstract AB We present the case of poor neurological recovery and subsequent death secondary to a thalamic abscess in a 53-year-old man. This patient initially presented with sudden dysarthria and left hemiparesis while driving. Neuroimaging showed a multilobular abscess involving the right thalamus with oedema extending to the basal ganglionic region and brainstem. The source of the abscess was initially unknown and it required draining multiple times while the different causes were being explored. The patient's neurological state along with intubation made for a difficult and inconclusive oral examination. It was only after neuroimaging included tooth-bearing areas that it became evident that this patient had extensive periodontal disease with multiple areas of periapical radiolucencies. The patient underwent complete dental clearance alongside repeated drainage of the abscess. Despite initial postoperative improvement, the patient never recovered from the neurological damage and died 3 weeks later.