Interhemispheric and Infratentorial Subdural Empyema with Preseptal Cellulitis as Complications of Sinusitis: A Case Report

Subdural empyema due to mixed infections successfully treated medically: A case report with review literature

Subdural empyema is a rare intracranial infection with an accumulation of purulent material between the dura and arachnoid matter. We report a case of 17 years old presented with an altered conscious level. CSF analysis showed increased WBCs. His situation has improved after treating by acyclovir, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and dexamethasone.

Subdural empyema is a rare intracranial infection with an accumulation of purulent material between the dura and arachnoid matter. We report a case of 17 years old presented with an altered conscious level. CSF analysis showed increased WBCs. His situation has improved after treating by acyclovir, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and dexamethasone. Bacterial infection medical treatment meningeal irritation subdural empyema viral infection.

Acute bacterial sinusitis in children: an updated review

Background

In the pediatric age group, approximately 7.5% of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are complicated by acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS). Despite its prevalence, ABS is often overlooked in young children. The diagnosis and management present unique challenges in primary care. This is an updated narrative review on the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of ABS.

Methods

A PubMed search was performed using the key term ‘acute sinusitis’. The search strategy included clinical trials, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and reviews. The search was restricted to the English literature and children.

Results

Haemophilus influenzae (non-typeable), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the major pathogens in uncomplicated ABS in otherwise healthy children. In complicated ABS, polymicrobial infections are common. The diagnosis of acute sinusitis is mainly clinical and based on stringent criteria, including persistent symptoms and signs of a URI beyond 10 days, without appreciable improvement; a URI with high fever and purulent nasal discharge at onset lasting for at least 3 consecutive days; and biphasic or worsening symptoms.

Conclusion

Data from high-quality studies on the management of ABS are limited. The present consensus is that amoxicillin-clavulanate, at a standard dose of 45 mg/kg/day orally, is the drug of choice for most cases of uncomplicated ABS in children in whom antibacterial resistance is not suspected. Alternatively, oral amoxicillin 90 mg/kg/day can be administered. For those with severe ABS or uncomplicated acute sinusitis who are at risk for severe disease or antibiotic resistance, oral high-dose amoxicillin-clavulanate (90 mg/kg/day) is the drug of choice.

Parafalcine subdural empyema: The unresolved controversy over the need for surgical treatment

Background:

Parafalcine subdural empyema (SDE) is a rare entity consisting of pus accumulating below the longitudinal sinus, between the falx cerebri and the arachnoid layer covering the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere. Its treatment strategy is controversial, but most clinicians have the general belief that appropriate treatment consists of prompt surgery combined with long-term antibiotic therapy. Nevertheless, six reports published in the 1980s provided evidence that antibiotic therapy alone is a safe and suitable option. The treatment strategies and outcomes of the 31 well-described cases previously published, in addition to our own, are discussed.

Case Description:

We report a 21-year-old female with a right-side parafalcine SDE who presented with fever, headache, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and contralateral hemiparesis 3 weeks after undergoing sinonasal surgery. Despite clinical symptoms almost entirely abating after starting treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, magnetic resonance imaging performed during the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks showed progressive enlargement of the interhemispheric collection (from 4 cm³ to 30 cm³). We reflect on the treatment strategy chosen for this patient, who experienced a total recovery.

Conclusion:

A nonsurgical strategy for parafalcine SDE might be contemplated for patients with a good clinical condition and no major midline shift on neuroradiological studies, given their usual indolent course and the relative difficulty in reaching the interhemispheric fissure. Conversely, surgery should be contemplated when the collection significantly enlarges despite antibiotic therapy. When surgical drainage is added to antibiotics, broad- range 16S ribosomal DNA polymerase chain reaction of the empyema is recommended to identify the causative organism as pus cultures are usually sterile.