Salmonella-infected subdural haematoma

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Neurosurgery
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) are collections of blood that can develop after head trauma.
• Infections of CSDH are uncommon, with bacterial seeding being a rare complication.
• Salmonella species are known pathogens, but their role in CSDH infection is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• A 55-year-old male with a history of alcoholism presented with a post-traumatic chronic subdural hematoma.
• The patient was diagnosed with a Salmonella sandiego infection within the subdural space.
• No obvious source of infection like meningitis, neurosurgery, or otorhinological issues was identified.

Findings:

• The infected CSDH was treated with a four-week course of chloramphenicol.
• Subdural drainage was performed as part of the treatment regimen.
• The patient experienced a full recovery from the infection and hematoma.

Implications:

• This case adds to the limited literature on Salmonella-infected CSDH, emphasizing the need for considering unusual pathogens.
• Hematogenous spread is a likely route of infection in CSDH when other foci are absent.
• Successful management involves appropriate antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention like drainage.