Parafalcine Subdural Empyema in a Woman with Recurrent Acute Otitis Media

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Subdural empyema (SDE) most frequently arises as a complication of paranasal sinusitis and is a serious intracranial infection. Parafalcine SDE, resulting from acute otitis media, is a rare phenomenon. Here, we report the case of 57 year old woman, with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with radiotherapy, 28 years ago and recent diagnosis of recurrent acute otitis media, who was admitted to the emergency department with a 2 days history of progressive right-sided limb weakness. Neurological examination revealed right-sided hemiparesis without meningeal signs. Non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain revealed a hypodense lesion in the left parafalcine region. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated layers of rim-enhancing subdural fluid collection and swelling of the surrounding brain, suggestive of empyema. The patient underwent surgical evacuation of empyema and was treated with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks. The patient recovered well without neurological deficits. Follow-up brain CT 6 weeks later showed complete resolution of previous lesions. Acute otitis media complicated by SDE is a rare clinical phenomenon that carries a high mortality rate. The complication risk may be higher in NPC patients following radiotherapy. Early diagnosis of SDE and prompt surgical evacuation of purulent material can result in a full recovery.