What is the most frequent presenting symptom in a brain abscess?

• A. Nuchal rigidity
• B. Headache
• C. Seizures
• D. Vomiting

Answer: (B)

Headache is the most common presenting symptom because a brain abscess creates a space-occupying lesion that raises intracranial pressure and irritates pain-sensitive structures. This makes headaches the first and most frequent clue patients report. Fever and focal neurological deficits commonly accompany the illness but are not as consistently present as headache. Seizures and vomiting can occur, but they're less uniformly seen, and nuchal rigidity points more toward meningitis than an isolated abscess. Recognizing that headache predominates helps distinguish brain abscess from other intracranial conditions and prompts appropriate imaging.