[Subdural empyema: medical treatment]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Maxillary sinusopathy can rarely lead to intracranial complications.
• Subdural empyema is a serious infection requiring prompt diagnosis and management.

Observation:

• A patient presented with maxillary sinusopathy, subsequently developing meningeal syndrome, focal neurological deficits, and seizures.
• Computed tomography revealed left parasagittal and right frontal subdural empyema.

Findings:

• Medical management including antibiotics, dexamethasone, and anticonvulsants resulted in rapid improvement.
• Both sinus and brain imaging showed significant resolution of the infection and inflammation.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering intracranial complications in patients with sinusitis.
• Non-surgical medical treatment is effective for subdural empyema in the absence of critical neurological compromise.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate medical therapy can lead to favorable outcomes in subdural empyema.