Acute Subdural Empyema

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The patient, a 19-year-old male, began suffering from severe headache, vomiting, and high fever. Two days later the patient was admitted in a semicomatose state and with left hemiplegia. Nuchal rigidity and choked disc were not noticed. WBC count was 12, 500/mm3. CT scan disclosed marked swelling of the right cerebral hemisphere with midline shift. Except for a small lucent space in the parafalcial region, no extracerebral collection was noted in either pre- or post-contrast scans. Plain craniograms showed clouding of the left frontal, ethmoidal, and sphenoidal sinuses. Carotid angiography revealed prolongation of the circulation time and stenosis of the supraclinoidal portion of the right carotid artery. Right fronto-parietal decompressive craniectomy was performed. Subdural empyema was found and evacuated. Curettage and drainage of the empyema in the paranasal sinuses were also done. A bone defect 4 mm in diameter was detected on the medial-upper wall of the left frontal sinus. The causative organism was confirmed as α-Streptococcus. Both systemic and local antibiotics were administered and the patient recovered well and was discharged without any neurological deficit. The authors emphasized that cerebral angiography is necessary for its accurate diagnosis of subdural empyema in its acute stage and that emergency intracranial and rhino-otological operations should be concomitantly performed.