Empiema subdural y su relación con hematomas subdurales: experiencia local y revisión de la literatura / Subdural empyema and its relationship to subdural hematomas: local experience and literature review

RESUMEN: Los empiemas subdurales, tanto los de aparición espontánea o como complicación en la evolución de un hematoma subdural (HSD), son infrecuentes y de los cuales existen pocas publicaciones en la literatura(1). En este trabajo se revisa una serie de 15 casos operados en el Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Pública (HUAP) en un período de 15 años. Se observó que en general tienen buena evolución con el tratamiento instaurado en forma oportuna y que son larvados en su presentación, pudiendo llegar a ser diagnosticados incluso en el intraoperatorio. No se observó diferencia en su evolución cuando se operaron a través de una craniectomía o de una craneotomía (plaqueta)(2). No se encontró tampoco diferencia cuando se trataron con o sin drenaje. Como consenso general, deben ser tratados con antibioticoterapia prolongada de al menos 3-4 semanas para controlar el foco infeccioso(2). Ninguno de los casos revisados requirió de reintervención.

ABSTRACT Subdural empyemas, both spontaneous or as a complication in the evolution of subdural hematomas, are an uncommon fact of which there are few publications in literature. In this review we analyze a retrospective serie of 15 cases operated in HUAP in a period of 15 years. In general we don't observed differences in the outcome using different surgical techniques, both in those treated by craniectomy as those treated by craniotomy. Also we don't observed differences in those treated with or without drainage. In the same way is clear that the optimal period of antibiotic treatment must be 3-4 weeks to fully cover them. None of the cases treated, needed reintervention.

Empiema subdural recidivante secundário à sinusite bacteriana frontal em um adolescente imunocompetente: relato de caso / Relapsing subdural empyema secondary to frontal bacterial sinusitis in an immunocompetent adolescent: case report

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.

Craniectomía descompresiva para empiema por Aggregatibacter aphrophilus: revisión de la literatura y presentación de caso / Decompressive Craniectomy for Empyema by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus: Literature Review and Case Report

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.

Intractable intraoperative brain herniation secondary to tension pneumocephalus: a rare life-threatening complication during drainage of subdural empyema / Herniação cerebral intratável secundária a pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo no intraoperatório: uma complicação rara com risco para a vida durante a drenagem de empiema subdural

Abstract Tension pneumocephalus is rare but has been well documented following trauma and neurosurgical procedures. It is a surgical emergency as it can lead to neurological deterioration, brainstem herniation and death. Unlike previous cases where tension pneumocephalus developed postoperatively, we describe a case of intraoperative tension pneumocephalus leading to sudden, massive open brain herniation out of the craniotomy site. The possible causative factors are outlined. It is imperative to rapidly identify possible causes of acute intraoperative brain herniation, including tension pneumocephalus, and institute appropriate measures to minimize neurological damage.

Resumo O pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo é raro, mas foi bem documentado após trauma e procedimentos neurocirúrgicos. Trata-se de uma emergência cirúrgica porque pode levar à deterioração neurológica, herniação do tronco cerebral e morte. Ao contrário de casos anteriores, nos quais o pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo se desenvolveu no pós-operatório, descrevemos um caso de pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo desenvolvido no período intraoperatório que levou a uma herniação cerebral súbita, maciça e aberta para fora do local da craniotomia. Os possíveis fatores causais são destacados. É imperativo identificar rapidamente as possíveis causas da herniação cerebral aguda no intraoperatório, incluindo o pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo, e instituir medidas apropriadas para minimizar os danos neurológicos.

Subcutaneous Dissemination in Highly Aggressive Intracranial Glioblastoma: Case Report and Literature Review

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.

Treatment of a subdural empyema complicated by intracerebral abscess due to Brucella infection

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.

A Case of Endoscopic Transethmoidal Drainage of Subdural Abscess Originated from Dental Infection / 대한이비인후과학회지

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.

Subdural Empyema Caused by Nontyphoidal Salmonella in a Patient with a Previous Evacuation of Subdural Hematoma / 대한내과학회지

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.

Posttraumatic Intracranial Tuberculous Subdural Empyema in a Patient with Skull Fracture

Intracranial tuberculous subdural empyema (ITSE) is extremely rare. To our knowledge, only four cases of microbiologically confirmed ITSE have been reported in the English literature to date. Most cases have arisen in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis regardless of trauma. A 46-year-old man presented to the emergency department after a fall. On arrival, he complained of pain in his head, face, chest and left arm. He was alert and oriented. An initial neurological examination was normal. Radiologic evaluation revealed multiple fractures of his skull, ribs, left scapula and radius. Though he had suffered extensive skull fractures of his cranium, maxilla, zygoma and orbital wall, the sustained cerebral contusion and hemorrhage were mild. Eighteen days later, he suddenly experienced a general tonic-clonic seizure. Radiologic evaluation revealed a subdural empyema in the left occipital area that was not present on admission. We performed a craniotomy, and the empyema was completely removed. Microbiological examination identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). After eighteen months of anti-tuberculous treatment, the empyema disappeared completely. This case demonstrates that tuberculosis can induce empyema in patients with skull fractures. Thus, we recommend that M. tuberculosis should be considered as the probable pathogen in cases with posttraumatic empyema.

Rapidly Progressive Gas-containing Lumbar Spinal Epidural Abscess

Gas-containing (emphysematous) infections of the abdomen, pelvis, and extremities are well-known disease entities, which can potentially be life-threatening. They require aggressive medical and often surgical treatment. In the neurosurgical field, some cases of gas-containing brain abscess and subdural empyema have been reported. Sometimes they progress rapidly and even can cause fatal outcome. However, gas-containing spinal epidural abscess has been rarely reported and clinical course is unknown. We report on a case of rapidly progressive gas-containing lumbar spinal epidural abscess due to Enterococcus faecalis in a 72-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus.

Empiema subdural secundario a sinusitis: reporte de caso / Subdural empyema secondary to sinusitis: case report

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%.

Tumor inflamatorio de Pott en el siglo XXI: presentación de dos casos / Inflammatory Tumor of Pott in the 21st Century: Presentation of two cases

La sinusitis es una patología frecuente en la edad pediátrica y generalmente se presenta como complicación de una infección de vías respiratorias altas. En la era preantibiotica las sinusitis producían con cierta frecuencia, complicaciones extra o intracraneales. El tumor inflamatorio de Pott es una complicación, actualmente inusual de la sinusitis frontal entre sus causas más frecuentes. Sin embargo, el diagnóstico precoz y el tratamiento médico quirúrgico oportuno son fundamentales para evitar secuelas neurológicas devastadoras o incluso la muerte de los pacientes que padecen esta patología. Se presenta el caso de dos pacientes con diagnóstico de sinusitis, quienes desarrollan el tumor inflamatorio de Pott y sus complicaciones supurativas intracraneales extraaxiales. Se revisa en la literatura, las características clínicas, imagenologicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta entidad.

A Case of Subdural Empyema Caused by Sinusitis in a Child / 소아감염

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.

Pansinusitis with subdural empyema in an adult: a rare entity

We report a case of an elderly diabetic woman who presented to emergency department with sudden right sided body weakness. On imaging she had subdural empyema complicating acute rhinosinusitis. Evacuation of emphysema and endoscopic sinus surgery resulted in full neurological recovery. Clinician must have a high index of suspicion of possible intracranial suppurative complication as its often manifest as nonspecific clinical presentation in elderly diabetic patients with acute rhinosinusitis, despite improvements in antibiotic therapies

Fractura compuesta de cráneo: reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura / Compound fracture of skull: case report and literature review

Introducción: Las fracturas son generalmente clasificados como simples (cerrada) o compuesta (abierta). En el caso de las fracturas de cráneo, pueden ser fracturas lineales, elevados, o triturado con la depresión. Fractura de cráneo compuesta rara vez se ha reportado en la literatura médica y cursa con una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Los autores presentan seis casos de fracturas múltiples del cráneo, hablan sobre el tratamiento y pronóstico. Pacientes y métodos: Se analizaron seis casos de fractura compuesta del cráneo. Analizado por sexo, causa, localización, diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico. Resultados: El sexo 5M / 1F. La edad media fue de 22 a. Las causas fueron: tres por agresión física, dos por accidente de coche y uno por explosión de neumático. Todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a TC. GCS medio al ingreso fue de 8. El tratamiento quirúrgico fue instituido en todos los casos. Tres pacientes desarrollaron infecciones (meningitis 2, empiema 1). Las secuelas fueron tres convulsiones, trastornos de la conducta 2. Hubo una muerte. Conclusión: La fractura compuesta del cráneo es rara y depende de la superficie del objeto y energía cinética. Las fracturas compuestas del cráneo con fragmentos de la depresión, son más frecuentes debido a la fuerza que se aplica hacia el cráneo. Su tratamiento inicial es quirúrgico y frecuentemente evoluciona con un mal pronóstico.

Introduction: Fractures are usually classified as simple (closed) or compound (open). In the case of skull fractures, they may be linear, high, or comminuted fracture with subsidence. The compound skull fracture has been rarely reported in medical literature and courses with high morbidity and mortality. The authors present six cases of compound fractures of the skull, discuss the treatment and prognosis. Patients and methods: We reviewed six cases of compound fracture of the skull. Analyzed according to gender, causes, location, diagnostic, treatment and prognosis. Results: The gender 5M / 1F. The mean age was 22 a. The two causes were physical aggression 3, car accident 2 and explosion of a tire 1. All patients underwent CT. Average score on ECG in admission 8. Surgical treatment was instituted all cases. Sequels were seizures 3 and behavioral disorders 2. There is one death. Conclusion: The compound fracture of the skull is rare and depends on the surface of blunt object and kinetic energy. The compound skull fractures with fragments of depression are more common, due to the force that is applied toward the skull. The initial treatment is surgical, and usually evolves with poor prognosis.

Empiema subdural por Escherichia coli / Escherichia coli caused subdural empiema

Objetivo: describir un caso de empiema subdural por Escherichia Coli. Descripción: se analizó la historia clínica e imágenes de un paciente con epidema subdural por E. Coli, evaluado en el Hospital Español de la ciudad de Buenos Aires en el año 2010. Paciente femenino de 84 años con infecciones urinarias a repetición que ingresa por TEC leve. Neurológicamente sin signos de foco. TAC de cerebro sin hallazgos significativos. Se constata infección urinaria y se decide internación para tratamiento. Intervención: a las dos semanas se realiza nueva TAC que evidencia colección hipodensa bifronatl laminar subdural sin efecto de masa. Intercurre con una nueva infección urinaria. Cumplidas dos semanas de tratamiento, presenta convulsión tónico-clónica que evoluciona a status epiléptico. TAC: colección subdural hipodensa hemisférica derecha. Se realiza evacuación de colección purulenta subdural. Comienza tratamiento con Vancomicina-Meropenem y se evidencia nueva infección urinaria por E. Coli, gérmen también cultivado en la colección purulenta subdural. TAC con contraste: no se evidencian colecciones residuales. A los trece días postoperatorios evoluciona con shock séptico secundario a neumonía por Acinetobacter, falleciendo a los diecisiete días de internación en UTI. Conclusión: el empiema subdural es una inusual y fulminante forma de sepsis intracraneal, con alta tasa de morbi-mortalidad, que requiere rápido diagnóstico, temprana evacuación, eliminación del foco infeccioso de origen y adecuado tratamiento antibiótico. Deben tenerse en cuenta las presentaciones atípicas, caracterizado por escaso compromiso sistémico infeccioso o los casos que presentan el antecedente de trauma de cráneo leve y formación de un hematoma/ higroma subdural que pueden colonizarse e infectarse tras un episodio de bacteremia, organizando una colección infectada.

Empiema raquídeo en pediatría: dificultades en el diagnóstico y las decisiones terapéuticas / Spinal empyema in children: difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment decisions

El empiema raquídeo es una patología poco frecuente en niños. La sospecha clínica del mismo es fundamental para realizar un diagnóstico temprano e iniciar un tratamiento adecuado y oportuno que cambie el pronóstico vital y funcional del paciente. Sin embargo, el mismo es dificultoso en la mayoría de los pacientes dada la poca expresividad clínica al inicio de la enfermedad. En cuanto al tratamiento, se propone que es médico y quirúrgico, estando en discusión la exclusividad del primero y el momento oportuno para el segundo en algunos casos. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 7 años, que presentó un empiema raquídeo en el contexto de una infección de cuero cabelludo. Su presentación clínica, al igual que lo descripto en la literatura, fue insidiosa. Se inició tratamiento antibiótico, pero el aumento de la colección evidenciada en la resonancia magnética requirió la decomprensión quirúrgica. El paciente evolucionó de manera favorable, sin signos neurológicos deficitarios.

Fatal Subdural Empyema Following Pyogenic Meningitis

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.

Infección intracraneal y rinosinusitis aguda: reporte de tres casos pediátricos / Intracranial infection and acute rhinosinusitis: three pediatric cases report

La rinosinusitis es una infección común en la población pediátrica, y entre sus complicaciones está la infección intracraneal que se relaciona con alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Es imprescindible un alto índice de sospecha para llegar así al diagnóstico temprano y brindar el tratamiento antibiótico y quirúrgico necesario. Presentamos nuestra experiencia de tres pacientes pediátricos con infección intracraneal secundaria a rinosinusitis.

Rhinosinusitis is a common infection in children and can present with intracranial complications associated with high morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is essential to reach an early diagnosis, confirming it with imaging studies and initiating appropriate antibiotic and surgical treatment. Herein our experience with three pediatric patients with intracranial infection as a result of acute sinus infection has been presented.