Bilateral Calcified Subdural Empyemas: A Case Report and Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Calcified subdural empyemas (CSEs) are uncommon neurosurgical conditions.
• CSEs can be misdiagnosed as calcified chronic subdural hematomas.
• Patients typically present with focal neurological deficits without systemic symptoms.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old male from South Africa with no prior neurosurgical history presented with bilateral, culture-positive CSE.
• This represents the tenth documented case of CSE in medical literature.
• The patient's symptoms included worsening headache, seizures, and hemiparesis.

Findings:

• The majority of reported CSE cases involve males from developing countries.
• Many patients with CSE have a history of neurosurgical procedures performed decades prior.
• This case is unique due to the absence of a surgical history.

Implications:

• Accurate differentiation between CSE and subdural hematomas is crucial for appropriate management.
• Understanding the unique pathophysiology of CSE requires further investigation.
• This case contributes to the limited understanding of CSE, particularly in patients without prior surgery.