Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
18:50
Microsurgical Clip Obliteration of Middle Cerebral Aneurysm Using Intraoperative Flow Assessment
Published on: September 25, 2009
13.6K
Spinal subdural empyema: A two-dimensional illustrative operative video
Seung Jin Lee1, Loizos Michaelides1, Saarang Patel2
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
Surgical Neurology International
|April 10, 2025
Summary
Spinal subdural empyema can mimic spinal cord tumors, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Prompt recognition and surgical intervention are crucial for managing this rare but serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Spinal subdural empyema is a rare condition that can cause severe neurological deficits.
- Prompt diagnosis, surgical evacuation, and antibiotic therapy are essential for managing spinal subdural empyema.
- This case highlights the importance of considering spinal subdural empyema in the differential diagnosis of intradural spinal cord lesions.
Observation:
- A 73-year-old female presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy and rapid paraplegia over 6 months.
- Initial diagnosis was an enlarging thoracic intramedullary mass, suspected to be primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Surgical exploration revealed a chronic subdural empyema, not a neoplasm.
Findings:
- The subdural empyema was characterized by arachnoid granulations and purulent tissue.
- Operative specimens did not yield any specific organism growth.
- The patient's presentation mimicked an intramedullary neoplasm.
Implications:
- Spinal subdural empyema should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients with intradural spinal cord lesions.
- Misdiagnosis as a neoplasm can delay appropriate treatment for spinal subdural empyema.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is critical to prevent irreversible neurological damage.
