What symptom is most commonly associated with an increased risk of a temporal brain abscess?

The symptom that is most commonly associated with an increased risk of a temporal brain abscess is a headache. Temporal brain abscesses often arise as a complication of infections, such as sinusitis or otitis media, which can lead to the spread of pathogens to the brain. A headache is frequently experienced due to increased intracranial pressure or inflammation in the surrounding brain tissue.

In the context of a temporal abscess, the headache may present as localized pain that can be severe, often accompanied by other neurological symptoms as the condition progresses. This symptom is significant because it may prompt further investigation, including imaging studies, to identify the underlying cause and extent of the infection.

While other symptoms like joint pain, neck pain, and vision changes may occur in various neurological or infectious diseases, they are not as directly associated with the presence of a temporal brain abscess as headaches are. Joint pain is more indicative of systemic conditions, neck pain may suggest meningitis or other cervical issues, and vision changes could relate to different optic or neurological conditions rather than directly indicating a brain abscess.