Burr hole evacuation for infratentorial subdural empyema

Infratentorial empyema is a life threatening condition and constitutes a neurosurgical emergency. Purulent mastoiditis and medial otitis is the most common origin and a thorough eradication of the purulent foci is mandatory. Decompression craniectomy has been primarily advised in the literature as the gold standard of the surgical treatment but burr hole evacuation when there the lack of cerebellar edema is less invasive and deemed equally efficient in the few reported cases. This is the report of a seventeen year old female who presented in a comatose state due to infratentorial empyema with acute hydrocephalus and who improved immediately after burr hole evacuation. Details of the surgical procedures are given. Mastoidectomy was completed, with the patient under combined antibiotherapy. She leads a normal life now, more than six years after surgery.