Related Experiment Videos
Nonsurgical treatment of interhemispheric subdural empyemas
Insights
Interhemispheric subdural empyema, a brain infection complicating sinusitis, can be successfully treated with antibiotics alone in children. Advanced imaging like CAT scans enable early diagnosis and monitoring, potentially avoiding surgery for intracranial suppurations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Interhemispheric subdural empyema is a rare but serious intracranial infection.
- Sinusitis is a common predisposing factor in pediatric cases.
- The syndrome of the falx cerebri can manifest with specific neurological deficits.
Abstract:
Interhemispheric subdural empyema complicating sinusitis was diagnosed in two children by CAT scan. One of them presented with intracranial hypertension and paresis of one foot (syndrome of the falx cerebri). Antibiotic treatment alone without surgery (in one case with brief initial steroid therapy) brought rapid and complete clinical and radiological cure. A nonsurgical approach can now be considered in certain cases of intracranial local suppurations, given the possibility of earlier and more precise initial diagnosis and follow-up with CAT scan.