Spinal subdural empyema: report of two cases

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Spinal subdural empyema (SSE) is an uncommon but serious intraspinal infection.
• Prompt recognition is vital, often indicated by fever, back pain, and neurological compromise.

Observation:

• Two distinct cases of SSE are presented to illustrate varied clinical presentations.
• The first case involved a patient with fever and back pain but no initial neurological deficit.
• The second case presented with SSE in a patient experiencing intracerebral hemorrhage during pregnancy.

Findings:

• SSE can manifest with or without overt neurological deficits, highlighting the need for a high index of suspicion.
• Lumbar puncture proved instrumental in diagnosing SSE in the second patient.
• Clinical manifestations can be diverse, underscoring the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation.

Implications:

• This study emphasizes the importance of considering SSE in patients with suggestive symptoms, even in the absence of severe neurological signs.
• Effective management strategies for SSE require a multidisciplinary approach.
• Further research into the early diagnostic markers and optimal treatment protocols for SSE is warranted.