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Giant chronic calcified subdural empyema: a case report
Amal Saleh Nour1, Kibruyisfaw Zewdie Shumbash2
1Department of Radiology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. salehamal12@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|July 12, 2020
Summary
This case report details a rare giant chronic calcified subdural empyema diagnosed in a 39-year-old man. Despite a lengthy symptom duration, the initial infection source remained unidentified.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Chronic calcified subdural empyema is an exceptionally rare CNS infection.
- Clinical presentations are often nonspecific, with diagnostic delays ranging from years to decades.
- Identifying the initial source of infection can be challenging.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old man presented with a 6-year history of left-sided weakness, worsening over 6 months.
- No history of trauma, meningitis, or prior surgery was reported; routine labs were normal.
- Imaging confirmed a giant chronic calcified subdural empyema; surgical evacuation was performed.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention for tension pneumocephalus was required post-evacuation.
- The patient unfortunately died 10 days after the initial surgery.
- This case highlights a giant chronic calcified subdural empyema without a clear preceding history.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the diagnostic challenges and rarity of chronic calcified subdural empyema.
- Underscores the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing rare neurological conditions.
- Contributes to the limited literature on this severe CNS infection.
