Intracranial Infection in Head Injury

ABSTRACT

We analyzed 12 cases of intracranial infection retrospectively among 951 patients admitted for head injury in Kyungpook University Hospital during the last 7 years. Overall infection rate was 1.3%. Among 259 patients who had basal skull fracture, 6 cases(2.3%) were infected. Craniotomies were performed on 488 patients for various reasons. Among them 2 patients(0.4%) were infected due to the craniotomy. Ninety one patients had compound comminuted depressed skull fracture(FCCD). No one was infected due to FCCD. Two patients were infected after ventriculoperitoneal shunt to treat the posttraumatic hydrocephalus, and one case after burr hole trephination and drainage of intracerebral hematoma. The intracranial infection were as follows7 cases of meningitis, 3 subdural or epidural empyema, one ventriculitis, and one brain abscess. In conclusion, basal skull fracture was the main cause of intracranial infection. As for craniotomy and FCCD, intracranial infection could be effectively prevented with appropriate management. Intracranial infection was a serious complication of the head injury prolonging hospital days and leading to sequelae.