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A fatal ascending spinal subdural empyema due to Streptococcus intermedius in a socially vulnerable patient: Forensic

Loredana Buscemi1, Edoardo Barboni2, Marco Palpacelli1

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy.

Legal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|August 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A fatal case of Streptococcus intermedius spinal and cranial subdural empyema (SDE) in a vulnerable patient highlights diagnostic delays. Missed red flags and potential bias in emergency care (ED) contributed to the fatal outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Forensic Pathology

Background:

  • Ascending spinal and cranial subdural empyema (SDE) is a rare but life-threatening condition.
  • Social vulnerability and repeated emergency department (ED) admissions can complicate patient care and diagnosis.
Keywords:
Forensic pathologyImplicit biasMarginalized populationsNeurological red flagsSubdural empyema

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