ABSTRACT
El síndrome de compresión medular es una urgencia neuroquirúrgica debido a que un diagnóstico precoz y un tratamiento temprano podría revertir las incapacitantes secuelas ocasionadas por esta enfermedad. Las causas de este síndrome pueden ser traumática, metastásica, infecciosa y vascular (hematomas). La etiología infecciosa no es frecuente y el principal germen involucrado suele ser Staphylococcus aureus. A continuación presentamos el caso de una paciente de 58 años con síndrome de compresión medular de etiología infecciosa quien fue ingresada en el Servicio de Clínica Médica del Centro Médico Nacional.
Spinal cord compression syndrome is a neurosurgical emergency because early diagnosis and early treatment could reverse the disabling consequences caused by this disease. The causes of this syndrome can be traumatic, metastatic, infectious, and vascular (hematomas). Infectious etiology is not frequent and the main germ involved is usually Staphylococcus aureus. Below we present the case of a 58-year-old patient with spinal cord compression syndrome of infectious etiology who was admitted to the Medical Clinic Service of the National Medical Center.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Introducción: El empiema subdural es una afección infrecuente, caracterizada por la presencia de material purulento entre la duramadre y la aracnoides. Representa entre el 15-20 % de las infecciones intracraneales, con una mortalidad de un 10 %. Objetivo: Presentar un paciente con diagnóstico de empiema subdural. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 22 años, con síntomas de infección respiratoria alta, fiebre de 39 °C, cefalea, toma del estado general y dificultad para movilizar el miembro inferior derecho; que la evaluación inicial sugiere diagnóstico de meningoencefalitis bacteriana y tuvo evolución desfavorable, se identifica con los estudios imagenológicos, la presencia de un empiema subdural secundario a una sinusitis polipoidea. Conclusiones: El empiema subdural es una entidad poco frecuente, con elevada mortalidad si no se realiza un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz. Dentro de las infecciones del sistema nervioso central siempre se debe tener en cuenta, pues requiere un alto índice de sospecha clínica y el uso adecuado de las imágenes para su diagnóstico.
ABSTRACT Introduction: Subdural empyema is a rare condition, characterized by the presence of purulent material between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater. It represents between 15-20 % of intracranial infections, with a mortality of 10 %. Objective: To present a patient with a diagnosis of subdural empyema. Clinical case: A 22-year-old male patient, with symptoms of upper respiratory infection, fever of 39 °C, headache, poor general condition and difficulty in mobilizing the right lower limb; whose initial evaluation suggests a diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis and had an unfavorable evolution, being identified after imaging studies the presence of a subdural empyema secondary to polypoid sinusitis. Conclusions: Subdural empyema is a rare entity, with high mortality if early diagnosis and treatment are not performed. Within infections of the central nervous system, it should always be taken into account, since it requires a high index of clinical suspicion and the adequate use of images for its diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
The clinical data of a case of neonatal bacterial meningitis complicated with posterior fossa subdural empyema in the West China Second University Hospital in December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The 3-day-old male newborn was admitted for jaundice with decreased intake for 1 day.Examinations on admission showed increased C-reactive protein.The count of karyocytes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) significantly increased, which were mainly neutrophils, and pyocytes could be found.The protein content in CSF increased, while that of glucose decreased.Both CSF culture and blood culture detected the presence of Escherichia coli.Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head indicated large abnormal signals in bilateral occipital extra-cerebellar spaces.T1-weighted images presented mixed low and high signals, and T2-weighted images presented high signals, and marginal enhancement was observed after enhancement.After 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment using Meropenem combined with Ceftazidime, the CSF index of the newborn patient returned to normal, and the subdural empyema of the posterior fossae subsided.Bacterial meningitis complicated with subdural empyema of posterior fossa is a rare and critical disease of the central nervous system.It is easily misdiagnosed due to the atypical clinical manifestations and early imaging features.The disease requires an adequate course of anti-infective treatment.Surgical removal of the empyema should be performed if the anti-infective treatment is unresponsive.
ABSTRACT
A sinusite é uma causa rara de infecção intracraniana, sendo responsável por 2,4% dos casos em pacientes jovens, e tem como a complicação intracraniana mais frequente o empiema subdural (ESD). Descrevemos um caso raro de um adolescente imunocompetente de 16 anos que evoluiu com confusão mental, rebaixamento do nível de consciência, anisocoria, hemiparesia à direita, afasia e febre. Tomografa computadorizada confirmou ESD, e paciente foi submetido à avaliação laboratorial e abordagem clínico-cirúrgica para tratamento do quadro.
Sinusitis is a rare cause of intracranial infection, accounting for 2.4% of cases in young patients. The most frequent intracranial complication is subdural empyema (SDE). We describe a rare case of a 16-year-old immunocompetent adolescent who developed mental confusion, lowered consciousness, anisocoria, right hemiparesis, aphasia, and fever. Computed tomography confirmed SDE, and the patient underwent laboratory evaluation and clinical-surgical approach for treatment of the condition.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Empyema, Subdural/diagnosis , Empyema, Subdural/etiology , Frontal Sinusitis/complications , Frontal Sinusitis/diagnosis , Frontal Sinusitis/drug therapy , Recurrence , Skull/diagnostic imaging , Empyema, Subdural/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
El empiema subdural es una patología rara que ocurre secundaria a otra infección en el complejo craneofacial; puede ser por una otitis media o por sinusitis en la mayoría de los casos. Por esto, normalmente, los gérmenes asociados con esta patología son los mismos encontrados en el oído medio y en los senos paranasales. A veces, un microrganismo raro causa el absceso, caso de este paciente, quien ingresó al hospital con dolor ocular y rápidamente progresó a un déficit neurológico causado por la bacteria Aggregatibacter aphrophilus. El caso tuvo una rápida intervención de todos los servicios involucrados. Neurocirugía drenó el empiema mediante trepano; posteriormente, el paciente requirió ventriculostomía y craniectomía descompresiva. El objetivo de esta revisión de la literatura es determinar qué dice la evidencia acerca del drenaje de empiemas mediante trepano o el uso temprano de craniectomía en este tipo de pacientes.
The subdural empyema is a rare pathology that normally occurs secondary' to another infection in the skull-facial complex, could be medial otitis or sinusitis in most of the cases, that's why the germs associated with this pathology' are normally the same found in the middle ear and paranasal sinuses. Eventually a rare microorganism causes an abscess, this is the case of this patient, who arrived to the hospital with ocular pain and rapidly progress with neurological déficit cause by' a bacteria called Aggregatibacter aphrophilus. The case had a fast intervention of all the Services involved, neurosurgery made an empyema drainage by burr hole, after that the patient required ventriculostomy and finally decompressive craniectomy. The objective of this review of the literature is to determine what does the evidence say about the empyema drainage by' burr hole or the early use of craniectomy in this kind of patients.
Subject(s)
Empyema, Subdural/diagnosis , CraniotomyABSTRACT
Most patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) have a history of craniocerebral trauma. Avulsion of intracranial pontine vein is the main pathogenesis after craniocerebral injury. CSDH drilling and drainage is the most widely used surgical method, with low recurrence and mortality rate. However, the postoperative complication of subdural pyometra is extremely rare, which leads to high mortality and disability rate and thus representing a very challenging disease in trauma surgery. Old age, diabetes mellitus, drainage with foreign body, craniocerebral surgery, open wound, chronic systemic infectious diseases (sinusitis, otitis media, abdominal abscess, lung infection, urinary tract infection), tumor or immune deficiency diseases are all the high risk factors. This paper reviews the pathogenesis, pathogenic bacteria, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, treatment and prognosis of subdural empyema after CSDH drilling and drainage in recent years, and provides suggestions for clinical management.
ABSTRACT
Most patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) have a history of craniocerebral trauma.Avulsion of intracranial pontine vein is the main pathogenesis after craniocerebral injury.CSDH drilling and drainage is the most widely used surgical method,with low recurrence and mortality rate.However,the postoperative complication of subdural pyometra is extremely rare,which leads to high mortality and disability rate and thus representing a very challenging disease in trauma surgery.Old age,diabetes mellitus,drainage with foreign body,craniocerebral surgery,open wound,chronic systemic infectious diseases (sinusitis,otitis media,abdominal abscess,lung infection,urinary tract infection),tumor or immune deficiency diseases are all the high risk factors.This paper reviews the pathogenesis,pathogenic bacteria,clinical manifestations,auxiliary examination,treatment and prognosis of subdural empyema after CSDH drilling and drainage in recent years,and provides suggestions for clinical management.
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Objective: Both infected subdural hematoma (ISH) and Edwardsiella tarda infections are rare in humans. E. tarda is a motile, facultative anaerobic, gram-negative rod bacterium, which is isolated from fresh or brackish water, but not usually from humans. Extra-intestinal E. tarda infections are rare and might cause severe clinical symptoms. However, ISH caused by E. tarda has not been reported previously. We report the first case of ISH due to E. tarda.Patient: A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a headache, loss of appetite, and nausea. Computed tomography revealed bilateral subdural hematoma.Results: We performed burr hole drainage. A hematoma with pus was found on the left side and chronic hematoma was found on the right side. Consequently, we diagnosed him with ISH on the left side and chronic subdural hematoma on the right side. E. tarda was detected in a culture from the hematoma with pus on the left side. As postoperative antibiotic therapy, we administered ceftriaxone and metronidazole for 47 days. The patient was discharged with no residual neurological deficit.Conclusion: Our case implied that favorable outcomes can be obtained by drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy for ISH caused by E. tarda.
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Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive and incurable primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor. Despite its aggressive behavior, extracranial metastases are rare, with an estimated incidence of less than 2%. In our literature review, we found only 21 reported cases of skin and soft tissue dissemination. We report a case of an early (two and a half months) postoperative skin and muscle flap-associated dissemination of a temporal glioblastoma. The particular aspect of this case, besides its rarity, is that the clinical presentation, the image reports and even the surgical findings were always in favor of a postoperative subdural empyema and epicranial abscesses. The diagnosis of soft tissue dissemination was only possible after negative microbiological cultures and histopathological confirmation of muscle and skin invasion by the tumor. This case illustrates the rare but potential risk of myocutaneous flap tumor dissemination through the durotomy/craniotomy site that can mimic a much more common, post-surgical infection.
O glioblastoma é um tumor do sistema nervoso central extremamente invasivo e incurável. Apesar do comportamento agressivo desses tumores, a metastização extracraniana é rara, apresentando uma incidência inferior a 2%. A nossa revisão da literatura revelou apenas 21 casos descritos de disseminação de glioblastoma para a pele e tecidos moles. Nós descrevemos um caso de disseminação precoce de um glioblastoma temporal para o retalho miocutâneo associado à cirurgia, cerca de 2 meses e meio após a intervenção. Além da raridade, este caso é peculiar, uma vez que tanto a forma de apresentação clínica quanto a descrição imagiológica e os achados intraoperatórios foram sempre muito sugestivos de um empiema subdural e de abcessos epicranianos. O diagnóstico definitivo de disseminação tumoral para os tecidos moles apenas foi possível após o resultado negativo das culturas microbiológicas e a confirmação histológica de invasão do músculo e da pele pelo tumor. Este caso ilustra o raro, mas potencial risco de disseminação tumoral de um glioblastoma através do retalho miocutâneo de acesso cirúrgico e do local de craniotomia/durotomia, que se pode facilmente confundir com uma situação mais frequente de infecção após cirurgia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Soft Tissue Neoplasms , Glioblastoma , Empyema, SubduralABSTRACT
A 55-year-old male presented with fever, stupor, aphasia, and left hemiparesis. A history of head trauma 3 months before was also reported. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed slight contrast enhancement of lesions under the right frontal skull plate and right frontal lobe. Because of deterioration in nutritional status and intracranial hypertension, the patient was prepared for burr hole surgery. A subdural empyema (SDE) recurred after simple drainage. After detection of Brucella species in SDE, craniotomy combined with antibiotic treatment was undertaken. The patient received antibiotic therapy for 6 months (two doses of 2 g ceftriaxone, two doses of 100 mg doxycycline, and 700 mg rifapentine for 6 months) that resulted in complete cure of the infection. Thus, it was speculated that the preexisting subdural hematoma was formed after head trauma, which was followed by a hematogenous infection caused by Brucella species.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Brain Abscess/microbiology , Brain Abscess/therapy , Brucellosis/complications , Brucellosis/therapy , Empyema, Subdural/microbiology , Empyema, Subdural/therapy , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Brain Abscess/pathology , Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic/complications , Craniotomy/methods , Drainage/methods , Hematoma, Subdural/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Subdural empyema is fulminating purulent infection that develops between the dura and the arachnoid membranes. It is rare but one of the most immediate of neurosurgical emergencies, hence the importance of proper diagnosis and early intervention. Most subdural empyema complicated in the ENT field originate from sinonasal or otologic infections rather than dental infections. In our case of 64-years-old male, who was admitted with headache and fever, the diagnosed subdural empyema originated from odontogenic parapharyngeal abscess. We report that the case was successfully managed after urgent surgical drainage by endoscopic transethmoidal approach with long term intravenous antibiotics.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Abscess , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Arachnoid , Diagnosis , Drainage , Early Intervention, Educational , Emergencies , Empyema, Subdural , Fever , Headache , MembranesABSTRACT
Nontyphoidal Salmonella infection often results in acute gastroenteritis, but extraintestinal infection presenting as a subdural empyema is unusual. We report a case of a 67-year-old man diagnosed with a subdural empyema caused by Salmonella group B that developed after evacuation of a subdural hematoma. To our knowledge, this is the first such case report in Korea.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Empyema, Subdural , Gastroenteritis , Hematoma, Subdural , Korea , Salmonella Infections , SalmonellaABSTRACT
El empiema subdural es una complicación intracraneana secundaria a sinusitis bacteriana poco frecuente que ocurre generalmenteen varones entre la segunda y tercera década de la vida. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino, de 16 años, sinantecedentes, asintomático. Ingresa por cefalea frontoparietal izquierda intensa, compromiso cualitativo de conciencia, calofríos,fiebre y vómitos, sin focalidad neurológica ni signos meníngeos. Resonancia magnética de cerebro muestra colección líquida subduralinterhemisférica en región frontoparietal izquierda que desplaza línea media y sinusitis aguda frontoetmoidomaxilar ipsilateral.Se realiza craniectomía frontoparietal, drenaje quirúrgico y tratamiento antibiótico triasociado intravenoso. Paciente evolucionacon desaparición de síntomas y sin secuelas neurológicas. La clínica del empiema subdural es inespecífica, encontrándose másfrecuentemente cefalea, vómitos, fiebre y compromiso de conciencia. Las imágenes son esenciales para confirmar el diagnósticoy determinar la necesidad de cirugía. Es una patología, cuyo manejo debe ser médico y quirúrgico, comprendiendo drenaje dela colección y terapia antimicrobiana intravenosa. La duración del tratamiento se ha descrito de 3 a 6 semanas. Es necesario unabordaje multidisciplinario precoz para un buen resultado neurológico y funcional, ya que la morbimortalidad se describe hastaun 40%.
The subdural empyema secondary to sinusitis is a rare intracranial complication, which occurs mostly in males in the secondto third decade. We present a case of a 16 years old male patient, without medical history. He is hospitalized for a frontparietalprogressive headache, associated with decreased of consciousness, chills, fever and vomiting, without neurological deficit andmeningeal signs. The magnetic resonance imaging reveals a subdural interhemispheric liquid collection in the left frontparietal regionwith deviation of midline brain structures and left acute frontethmoidmaxilary sinusitis. Craniotomy and surgical drainage withintravenous antibiotic treatment was made. The symptoms dissapear after this and no neurological sequelae was found. The clinicalmanifestation of subdural empyema are inespecific. The more frecuent symptoms are headache, vomit, fever and decreasedof consciousness. The imaging study is essential to diagnose and evaluate the surgical need. The subdural empyema is pathologywith a medical and surgical management; wich involves collection drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy. It is been describedthat the treatment duration will be prolonged for 3 to 6 weeks. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for a better neurologicaland functional outcome, because the mortality rates are described up to 40%.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Craniotomy , Drainage , Empyema, Subdural/diagnosis , Empyema, Subdural/epidemiology , Frontal Sinusitis/complications , Frontal Sinusitis/diagnosis , Frontal Sinusitis/therapy , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods , HeadacheABSTRACT
The current paper reports on a case of subdural empyema secondary to frontal sinusitis in an otherwise healthy child. Sinusitis is a common and benign condition in most pediatric cases. Because of the widespread use of antibiotics, intracranial extension of pediatric sinusitis is rarely seen today; however, complications (e.g., cavernous sinus thrombosis, orbital infection, meningitis, and subdural empyema) are potentially life threatening. A 15-year-old right-handed male presented with a 3-day history of fever, headache, and left-sided palsy. Computed tomography revealed right-sided subdural empyema with right frontal sinusitis and maxillary sinusitis. A postoperative inpatient neurological consultation was requested 2 months post-surgery due to motor function deficits. The results suggested that early and accurate diagnosis of subdural empyema leads to prompt treatment and a favorable outcome for the patient.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Male , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Brain Abscess , Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis , Central Nervous System , Diagnosis , Empyema, Subdural , Fever , Frontal Sinus , Frontal Sinusitis , Headache , Inpatients , Maxillary Sinus , Maxillary Sinusitis , Meningitis , Orbit , Paralysis , SinusitisABSTRACT
Subdural empyema is a rare form of intracranial sepsis associated with high morbidity and mortality. The most frequent cause is extension of paranasal sinusitis through emissary veins or of mastoiditis through the mucosa, bone, and dura mater. Development of subdural empyema after pyogenic meningitis is known to be very unusual in adults. We report a rare case of fatal subdural empyema, an unusual complication of pyogenic meningitis. Our bitter experience suggests that subdural empyema should be borne in mind in patient with pyogenic meningitis who exhibit neurological deterioration.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Dura Mater , Empyema, Subdural , Mastoid , Mastoiditis , Meningitis , Mucous Membrane , Sepsis , Sinusitis , VeinsABSTRACT
Intracranial infections, especially subdural empyema, due to salmonella are rare. Subdural empyema caused by Salmonella paratyphi A has been documented only once earlier in the literature. Hence, we report a case of subdural empyema and osteomyelitis of cranial vault due to S. paratyphi A. A 42- year-old male presented with headache and purulent discharge from right parietal burr hole wound site. Patient gave a history of head injury two years ago. He underwent burr hole evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma, excision of outer membrane and right parietal craniectomy. The cultures grew S. paratyphi A. Recovery was uneventful following surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy.
ABSTRACT
Subdural empyema of the brain is an uncommon disorder that occurs more frequently in children than in adult. Authors report a very rare of subdural empyema following the subdural hygroma after mild head injury. The exact mechanism of infection is not known. However, we have to consider subdural infection as one of differential diagnosis in elderly patient with subdural hygroma when new abnormal density lesion is developed in the subdural space.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Child , Humans , Brain , Craniocerebral Trauma , Diagnosis, Differential , Empyema, Subdural , Escherichia , Escherichia coli , Subdural Effusion , Subdural SpaceABSTRACT
The authors present a case of subdural empyema in a macrocephalic patient. A 23-year-old male was admitted due to headache and fever. One month ago, he had mild head injury by his coworkers. Physical examination showed a macrocephaly and laboratory findings suggested purulent meningitis. Neuroimaging studies revealed a huge size of epidural space-occupying lesion. Under the impression of epidural abscess, operation was performed. Eventually, the lesion was located at subdural space and was proven to be subdural empyema. Later, histological examination of the specimen obtained by surgery demonstrated finings consistent with the capsule of the chronic subdural hematoma. Two weeks after operation, Propionibacterium acnes was isolated. The intravenous antibiotics were used for total of eight weeks under monitoring of the serum level of the C-reactive protein. Follow-up brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed the presence of significant amount of remaining subdural lesion. However, he has complained of minimal discomfort. It is suggested that the subdural empyema occurred with preexisting chronic subdural hematoma after head injury about one month prior to admission and it took a long time to treat Propionibacterium acnes subdural empyema with systemic antibiotics, at least over eight weeks.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Brain , C-Reactive Protein , Craniocerebral Trauma , Empyema, Subdural , Epidural Abscess , Fever , Follow-Up Studies , Headache , Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic , Megalencephaly , Meningitis , Neuroimaging , Physical Examination , Propionibacterium , Propionibacterium acnes , Subdural SpaceABSTRACT
This article presents the case of a bilateral chronic subdural hematoma which was contaminated with Klebsiella pneumoniae and resulted in a life-threatening central nervous system infection. After repeated of bilateral burr-hole drainage, the patient became hyperpyrexic and drowsy. Suppuration within the subdural space was suspected and then the patient underwent bilateral fronto-temporo-parietal craniotomies, and pus was evacuated. Its cultures revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Intravenous meropenem was given for 6 weeks. He recovered completely. Microorganisms like Klebsiella pneumoniae may directly infect the subdural space with iatrogenic contamination.
Subject(s)
Humans , Central Nervous System Infections , Craniotomy , Drainage , Empyema, Subdural , Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic , Klebsiella , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Subdural Space , Suppuration , ThienamycinsABSTRACT
Paediatric subdural empyema is frequently seen in developing Asean countries secondary to rinosinusogenic origins. A cross-sectional analysis on the surgical treatment of intracranial subdural empyema in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), a major referral center, was done in 2004. A total number of 44 children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included into this study. The methods of first surgery, volume of empyema on contrasted CT brain, improvement of neurological status, re-surgery, mortality and morbidity, as well as the demographic data such as age, gender, sex, duration of illness, clinical presentation, probable origin of empyema, cultures and follow-up were studied. Chi-square test was performed to determine the association between surgical methods and the survival of the patients, neurological improvement, clearance of empyema on CT brain, re-surgery and long morbidity among the survivors. If the 20% or more of the cells were having expected frequency less than five, then Fisher’s Exact test was applied. The level of significance was set at 0.05. SPSS version 12.0 was used for data entry and data analysis. There were 44 patients who were less than 18 years. Their mean age was 5.90 ± 6.01 years. There were 30 males (68.2%) and 14 females (31.8%) involved in the study. Malays were majority with 28 (63.6%) followed by Indian 8 (18.2%), Chinese 5 (11.4%) and others 3 (6.8%). The variables which were under interest were gender, race, headache, vomiting, seizures, sign of meningism, cranial nerve palsy, thickness site of abscess, first surgical treatment, improvement in neurological deficit, clearance of CT and whether re-surgery was necessary. All variables were found not to be associated with Henk W Mauser Score for PISDE grading. Comparison between this urban study and a rural setting study by the same corresponding author in the same period on subdural empyema was done. Common parameters were compared and it was found out that seizures were more prevalent in urban study where the patients are more than one year old (p=0.005). Mortality was much higher in urban study than the rural one (p=0.040). The larger proportion of urban group had volume of abscess less than or equal to 50 ml (p=< 0.001).