Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Accessing the Subdural Space of the Rodent Spinal Cord for Treatment Delivery
07:54

Accessing the Subdural Space of the Rodent Spinal Cord for Treatment Delivery

Published on: August 8, 2025

Cranial and spinal subdural empyema

Pasquale De Bonis1, Carmelo Anile, Angelo Pompucci

  • 1Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, l.go A. Gemelli, Rome 8 00168, Italy.

British Journal of Neurosurgery
|June 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Subdural empyema, a rare infection between the dura and arachnoid, can occur in the brain or spine. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to minimize neurological damage and improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Subdural empyema is a serious infection loculated between the dura and arachnoid mater.
  • While typically intracranial, spinal subdural empyema is a rare but significant clinical entity.
  • Neurological sequelae are common, underscoring the need for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and symptoms of both cranial and spinal subdural empyema.
  • To highlight the critical relationship between diagnostic/therapeutic delays and patient morbidity/mortality.
  • To discuss management challenges, particularly in cases of extensive central nervous system involvement.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing data on subdural empyema.
  • Comparative analysis of intracranial versus spinal subdural empyema characteristics.
  • Discussion of treatment strategies based on clinical presentation and extent of CNS involvement.

Main Results:

  • Subdural empyema presents distinct epidemiological and etiological profiles for cranial and spinal forms.
  • Delay in diagnosis and treatment directly correlates with increased morbidity and mortality.
  • Brain and spinal subdural empyema are not always distinct entities, requiring individualized management.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are paramount for improving outcomes in subdural empyema.
  • Management strategies must be tailored to individual patient cases, especially those with extensive central nervous system compromise.
  • Despite advances, subdural empyema remains a challenging condition with a significant risk of neurological sequelae.

More Related Videos

Accessing the Porcine Brain via High-Speed Pneumatic Drill Craniectomy04:26

Accessing the Porcine Brain via High-Speed Pneumatic Drill Craniectomy

Published on: July 5, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Cranial and Spinal Meninges01:19

Cranial and Spinal Meninges

The cranial and spinal meninges are complex protective structures surrounding the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. These meninges consist of the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. They protect the CNS, provide structural support, and aid in circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cranial Meninges
These meningeal layers cover the cranium. The dura mater is the outermost layer of cranial meninges. It is a thick and durable membrane of dense...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...