Giant chronic calcified subdural empyema: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Chronic calcified subdural empyema is an exceedingly rare central nervous system infection with a handful of cases published to date. Reported cases presented with nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms. The duration between the initial onset of symptoms and diagnosis can vary drastically from a few years to up to 46 years. Although there are known predisposing causes, the initial source of infection can sometimes be difficult to identify. CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient was a 39-year-old Ethiopian man who presented with left-side body weakness of 6 years' duration with worsening of symptoms of 6 months' duration. He had no history of trauma, meningitis, or previous surgery. The results of routine laboratory tests were normal. The diagnosis was made by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and was confirmed by surgery. Frontoparietal craniotomy was performed, and evacuation of non-foul-smelling collection was done. The patient was reoperated for tension pneumocephalus 48 hours after the initial surgery. He died 10 days later. CONCLUSION: This is a rare case of a giant chronic calcified subdural empyema with no known preceding history of trauma or infection.

Understanding Subdural Collections in Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma.

Life-threatening physical abuse of infants and toddlers is frequently correlated with head injuries. A common variant of the abusive head trauma is the shaken baby syndrome. The present review article sheds light on subdural collections in children with abusive head trauma and aims at providing a recent knowledge base for various medical disciplines involved in diagnostic procedures and legal proceedings. To this end, the different subdural collection entities are presented and illustrated. The pathophysiologic background is explained. Differential and age-diagnostic aspects are discussed and summarized by tabular and graphic overviews. Two problematic constellations frequently occurring during initial CT investigations are evaluated: A mixed-density subdural collection does not prove repeated trauma, and hypodense subdural collections are not synonymous with chronicity. The neuroradiologic analysis and assessment of subdural collections may decisively contribute to answering differential diagnostic and forensic questions. In addition to more reference data, a harmonization of terminology and methodology is urgently needed, especially with respect to age-diagnostic aspects.

The proteome of pus from human brain abscesses: host-derived neurotoxic proteins and the cell-type diversity of CNS pus.

OBJECTIVE What determines the extent of tissue destruction during brain abscess formation is not known. Pyogenic brain infections cause destruction of brain tissue that greatly exceeds the area occupied by microbes, as seen in experimental studies, pointing to cytotoxic factors other than microbes in pus. This study examined whether brain abscess pus contains cytotoxic proteins that might explain the extent of tissue destruction. METHODS Pus proteins from 20 human brain abscesses and, for comparison, 7 subdural empyemas were analyzed by proteomics mass spectrometry. Tissue destruction was determined from brain abscess volumes as measured by MRI. RESULTS Brain abscess volume correlated with extracellular pus levels of antibacterial proteins from neutrophils and macrophages: myeloperoxidase (r = 0.64), azurocidin (r = 0.61), lactotransferrin (r = 0.57), and cathelicidin (r = 0.52) (p values 0.002-0.018), suggesting an association between leukocytic activity and tissue damage. In contrast, perfringolysin O, a cytotoxic protein from Streptococcus intermedius that was detected in 16 patients, did not correlate with abscess volume (r = 0.12, p = 0.66). The median number of proteins identified in each pus sample was 870 (range 643-1094). Antibiotic or steroid treatment prior to pus evacuation did not reduce the number or levels of pus proteins. Some of the identified proteins have well-known neurotoxic effects, e.g., eosinophil cationic protein and nonsecretory ribonuclease (also known as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin). The cellular response to brain infection was highly complex, as reflected by the presence of proteins that were specific for neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, platelets, fibroblasts, or mast cells in addition to plasma and erythrocytic proteins. Other proteins (neurofilaments, myelin basic protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein) were specific for brain cells and reflected damage to neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes, respectively. Pus from subdural empyemas had significantly higher levels of plasma proteins and lower levels of leukocytic proteins than pus from intracerebral abscesses, suggesting greater turnover of the extracellular fluid of empyemas and washout of pus constituents. CONCLUSIONS Brain abscess pus contains leukocytic proteins that are neurotoxic and likely participate actively in the excessive tissue destruction inherent in brain abscess formation. These findings underscore the importance of rapid evacuation of brain abscess pus.

Neurologic melioidosis presented as encephalomyelitis and subdural collection in two male labourers in India.

UNLABELLED: Two distinct and potentially deceitful cases of neurologic melioidosis are reported. Case 1: A 39-year-old alcoholic and uncontrolled diabetic male presented with cough, fever, and left focal seizures with secondary generalization. An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan revealed a small peripherally enhancing subdural collection along the interhemispheric fissure suggestive of minimal subdural empyema. Blood culture grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. Patient was diagnosed with disseminated bacteraemic melioidosis with subdural empyema. He was successfully treated with ceftazidime-cotrimoxazole-doxycycline. Case 2: A 45-year-old male presented with left lower limb weakness, difficulty in passing urine and stool, and back pain radiating to lower limbs. Neurological examination revealed flaccid left lower limb with absent deep tendon reflexes and plantar reflex. Spinal MRI showed T2 hyperintensity from D9 to L1 suggestive of demyelination. Patient was treated with high dose methylprednisolone. By day 3 of steroid treatment, lower limb weakness progressed. Subsequent MRI showed extensive cord hyperintensity on T2 weighted sequence extending from C5 to conus medullaris consistent with demyelination. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture grew B. pseudomallei, and the patient was given meropenem-cotrimoxazole. After three weeks of parenteral treatment, the lower limbs remained paralyzed. Patient was discharged on oral cotrimoxazole-doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS: Melioidosis should be considered as a differential in focal suppurative central nervous system (CNS) lesions, meningoencephalitis, or encephalomyelitis in endemic areas. CNS infections must be ruled out prior to steroid administration. The role of corticosteroids in demyelinating CNS melioidosis has been refuted. This is a rare documentation of effect of unintentional corticosteroid treatment in melioidosis.

Subdural empyma due to Mycobacterium fortuitum in a non-HIV patient.

A 14-year-old male child presented with high grade intermittent fever with altered sensorium since 5-6 days and generalised seizures. On examination neck stiffness noticed with normal haemogram and chest X-ray. CSF microscopy was normal and no growth seen in aerobic culture. CT scan showed loculated lesion. Drained pus showed acid fast organism and culture on Lowestein Jensen medium showed pale-coloured growth on 3 rd day. Organism identified as Mycobacterium fortuitum by biochemical test. Interesting aspect of this case was there is no history of trauma or injection and patient was negative for HIV antibody.

Subdural empyema due to Escherichia coli and Neisseria meningitides in an immunocompetent infant (a case report).

Subdural empyema (SDE) is a focal accumulation of pus between the arachnoid and dura matter. In infants and young children, it is usually attributed to meningitis complications. SDE is considered a serious neurological condition and the culprit is usually a single organism. In rare occasions, polymicrobial is the cause and the organisms involved are, usually streptococci and anaerobe bacteria. A search of the PubMed database was carried out, using a combination of the following terms: subdural empyema , infant, and meningitis. The majority studies conducted on infants mentioned one single organism as the cause of subdural empyema. We are presenting a rare, if not unique, case of subdural empyema in an immunocompetent infant due to an unusual combination of Escherichia coli and Neisseria meningitides. Meningitis is a dynamic disease, and its detrimental consequences could be avoided if diagnosed early. It will be crucial to re-sample the CSF looking for additional organism if a patient with meningitis continues to be febrile, despite antibiotics therapy. Although CSF culture is considered the gold standard in identifying the organism in meningitis, it could be missed due to different reasons including technical flaws. Latex bacterial antigen test could be an indispensable ancillary technique in the diagnosis of meningitis and hence treatment.

Pediatric focal intracranial suppuration: a UK single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Brain abscess (BA) and subdural empyema (SDE) are uncommon but clinically important conditions in childhood. Treatment involves surgery and prolonged courses of antibiotics. There is no consensus on the optimal approach. The objective was to review management and outcome of BA and SDE in a single UK center. METHODS: This retrospective case notes review of children with brain abscess or subdural empyema admitted to a tertiary pediatric infectious diseases and neurosurgical center from 2001 to 2009. RESULTS: Forty-two children were included in the study; 17 children were with BA, 23 with SDE, and two both with BA and SDE. The causative factors found in 88 % of the patients were most commonly sinusitis and meningitis with congenital heart disease and immunocompromise unusual. Streptococcus anginosus group organisms were most common; 10 % of the children had a resistant pathogen and 86 % had surgical intervention. Fifteen patients with BA underwent surgery; nine of these patients underwent burrhole aspiration, three had craniotomy, two had stereotactic surgery, and one had endoscopic aspiration. Remaining 19 patients with SDE underwent surgery: seven had burrhole aspiration, 11 underwent craniotomy, and one had aspiration via the anterior fontanel. The most common antibiotic regime was cefotaxime, metronidazole, and amoxicillin. Mean duration of treatment was 14.4 weeks. Mean time until normalization of C reactive protein was 23 days. Survival was 95 % and 20 % had ongoing neurological sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: BA and SDE remain important childhood infections in the UK. Antibiotics are essential in the management of these cases. Empiric antibiotic choices require knowledge of likely pathogens and local resistance. Selected infections can be treated without surgical intervention. Long courses of antibiotics were administered. Outcome is good, and neurological sequelae were less common than found in previous series.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculous subdural empyema with secondary methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: an unusual presentation of cranial tuberculosis in an infant.

Despite tuberculosis (TB) being endemic in many parts of the world, its prevalence in infancy is low. Neurotuberculosis in this age is even rarer and presents either as meningitis or intracranial tuberculoma on the background of exposure to the disease. We report occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculous subdural empyema in a three-month-old girl as the initial presenting manifestation of TB in the absence of any exposure to the disease. She was successfully managed with surgery and drugs with good outcome at 18 months.

Fatal subdural empyema caused by Streptococcus constellatus and Actinomyces viscosus in a child--case report.

Group milleri streptococci that colonize the mouth and the upper airways are generally considered to be commensal. In combination with anaerobics, they are rarely responsible for brain abscesses in patients with certain predisposing factors. Mortality in such cases is high and complications are frequent. We present a case of fatal subdural empyema caused by Streptococcus constellatus and Actinomyces viscosus in a previously healthy 7-year-old girl.

Three cases of severe invasive infections caused by Campylobacter rectus and first report of fatal C. rectus infection.

We report the first fatal case of Campylobacter rectus infection due to a subdural empyema and ruptured mycotic intracranial aneurysm and two cases of limb-threatening C. rectus necrotizing soft tissue and bone infection and empyema thoracis that responded to amoxicillin-clavulanate and surgical debridement and drainage. All three strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing.

Posterior fossa subdural empyema in children--management and outcome.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical features, radiologic findings, bacteriologic spectrum, and management protocols and outcomes in posterior fossa subdural empyemas in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of all children (age, <18 years) treated over a ten-year period (1994-2004) at NIMHANS, India. Clinical, bacteriologic, radiologic, and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children with posterior fossa empyemas were treated during this period, making this the largest series to date dealing with this rare entity. Posterior fossa empyemas are seen more commonly in the summer months and in males. Of the patients, 74.1% were in altered sensorium. The clinical features included the triad of fever, headache, and vomiting, which is a nonspecific picture. Cerebellar signs were elicited only in 40%. The most common source was untreated middle ear infection. Pus usually accumulates over the cerebellar convexity and is associated with hydrocephalus in 74% of patients. Cultures of the empyema pus were positive in 74% of cases, and 18.5% had polymicrobial infections. Only 21% of the patients needed a permanent CSF diversion procedure. Craniectomy is the treatment of choice in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features are nonspecific. Early surgery can salvage most patients and obviate the need for permanent CSF diversion procedures. Surgery (evacuation of empyema and mastoidectomy), antibiotics, and management of hydrocephalus are the mainstays of treatment.

Chronic subdural empyema and cranial vault osteomyelitis due to Salmonella paratyphi A.

Intracranial infections, especially subdural empyema, due to salmonella are rare. Subdural empyema caused by Salmonella paratyphi A has been documented only once earlier in the literature. Hence, we report a case of subdural empyema and osteomyelitis of cranial vault due to S. paratyphi A. A 42- year-old male presented with headache and purulent discharge from right parietal burr hole wound site. Patient gave a history of head injury two years ago. He underwent burr hole evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma, excision of outer membrane and right parietal craniectomy. The cultures grew S. paratyphi A. Recovery was uneventful following surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy.