Intracranial subdural empyema. 3 cases
Leys, D.; Destee, A.; Combelles, G.; Rousseaux, M.; Warot, P.
La Semaine des Hopitaux Organe Fonde Par l'Association d'Enseignement Medical des Hopitaux de Paris 59(48): 3347-3350
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-1777 PMID: 6140759 Document Number: 201432
With reference to three cases the main features of subdural empyema are recalled. These collected suppurations are often secondary to frontal or maxillary sinusitis due to a streptococcus. Clinical features are those of meningo-encephalitis but signs of cortical damage are more prevalent. Many cases of subdural empyema which would have been unrecognized by conventional procedures are now diagnosed by CT scan. CT scan has also improved monitoring; thus, two of the three patients could be given medical treatment alone. The authors believe that non-surgical treatment would ensure recovery in many cases of subdural empyema. Surgery should be restricted to patients with severe intracranial hypertension or persistence of a large mass after several weeks of antibiotic treatment. Non-surgical treatment may improve prognosis.