Turkish Neurosurgery
2009 , Vol 19 , Num 2
Infratentorial Subdural Empyema
Atatürk University, Medical School, Neurosurgery Department, Erzurum, Turkey
Infratentorial subdural empyema is a life-threatening rare complication of
bacterial meningitis. Infratentorial subdural empyemas constitute only a small
portion of all cases with intracranial infectious diseases. We present a 15-yearold
boy with infratentorial subdural empyema. Empyema was diagnosed with
serial follow-up computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging while
he was being treated for bacterial meningitis secondary to neglected mastoiditis.
The patient was successfully treated with emergent surgery and appropriate
antibiotics. Empyema should be considered in patients with suspected or
proven bacterial menengitis and associated ear nose throat infection with
neurological signs that suggest a posterior fossa lesion.
Keywords :
Infratentorial, Subdural empyema, Surgery