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==Overview==
==Overview==
Subdural empyema, also referred to as subdural abscess, pachymeningitis interna and circumscript meningitis, is a life-threatening [[infection]].<ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref> It consists of a localised collection of [[pus|purulent]] material, usually unilateral, between the [[dura mater]] and the [[arachnoid mater]] and accounts for about 15-22% of the reported focal intracranial [[infections]]  The [[empyema]] may develop intracranially (about 95%) or in the [[spinal canal]] (about 5%), and in both cases, it constitutes a [[medical emergency|medical]] and [[surgical emergency|neurosurgical emergency]].<ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc=|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref>  
Subdural empyema is a localized collection of [[pus]] between the [[dura mater]] and [[arachnoid mater]], which occurs in either the [[intracranial space]] or the [[spinal canal]].<ref name =MEDICI>{{Cite book  | last1 = Longo | first1 = Dan L. (Dan Louis) | title = Harrison's principles of internal medici | date = 2012 | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-07-174889-6 | pages =  }}</ref><ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref><ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref> Subdural empyema generally follows the same progression for both intracranial and spinal subtypes, spreading via [[blood]] or from nearby infection.  
[[Bacterial]] or occasionally [[fungal]] [[infection]] of the [[skull]] bones or air [[sinuses]] can spread to the [[subdural space]]  producing a subdural empyema. The underlying [[arachnoid]] and [[subarachnoid space]]s are usually unaffected, but a large subdural empyema may produce a mass effect. Further, a [[thrombophlebitis]] may develop in the bridging [[veins]] that cross the [[subdural space]]  resulting in venous occlusion and infarction of the brain.
In children, subdural empyema most often happens as a complication of [[meningitis]]  while in adults it usually occurs as a complication of [[sinusitis]],  [[otitis media]],  [[mastoiditis]]  [[trauma]] or as a complication of neurological procedures.<ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref>
 
If diagnosis and treatment are prompt, complete recovery is usual.


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
A localised collection of [[pus]] between the [[dura mater]] and the [[arachnoid mater]]. It's a rare infection that accounts for about 15-25% of focal [[CNS]] [[infections]] and may occur in the [[intracranial space]] or in the [[spinal canal]], being that the intracranial type is fairly more common that the spinal subdural empyema. Since the etiologic agents, the course of the disease and the treatment of this two types of empyema are different, they should be approached in separate ways.<ref>{{Cite book  | last1 = Longo | first1 = Dan L. (Dan Louis) | title = Harrison's principles of internal medici | date = 2012 | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-07-174889-6 | pages =  }}</ref><ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref><ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref>
Subdural empyema is a localized collection of [[pus]] between the [[dura mater]] and [[arachnoid mater]], which occurs in either the [[intracranial space]] or the [[spinal canal]].<ref name =MEDICI>{{Cite book  | last1 = Longo | first1 = Dan L. (Dan Louis) | title = Harrison's principles of internal medici | date = 2012 | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-07-174889-6 | pages =  }}</ref><ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref><ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref>


===Intracranial Subdural Empyema===
===Intracranial Subdural Empyema===
Usually unilateral, the anatomy of the [[meninges|meningeal membranes]] dictate to the course and characteristics of the disease. The [[dura mater]] and the [[arachnoid mater]]  which define the initial limits of the [[empyema]], are joined only at the base of the [[brain]], along the [[falx cerebri]] and at the [[tentorium cerebelli]], being elsewhere held against each other, by the pressure of the [[brain]] and [[cerebrospinal fluid]]. The virtual space between these two [[meninges|meningeal membranes]] makes the perfect way for the infection to oread along the [[cerebral hemisphere]], inter-hemispheric fissure and [[posterior cranial fossa]].
Intracranial subdural empyema is usually unilateral, and affects the base of the [[brain]], its convexity, the inter-hemispheric fissure along the [[falx cerebri]], or the [[posterior cranial fossa|posterior fossa]]. The anatomy of the [[meninges|meningeal membranes]] dictate the course and characteristics of the disease. The [[dura mater]] and the [[arachnoid mater]], which define the initial limits of the [[empyema]], are joined only at the base of the [[brain]], along the [[falx cerebri]] and at the [[tentorium cerebelli]]. This virtual space between these two [[meninges|meningeal membranes]] creates the potential for the infection to spread along the [[cerebral hemisphere]], inter-hemispheric fissure, and [[posterior cranial fossa]].
The infection's main origin depends on the age of the individual. In younger children, the [[subdural empyema|empyema]] most commonly results from a complication of purulent [[meningitis]]  while in older children and adults, it most commonly results from complication of [[sinusitis]] (more common), [[otitis media]] or [[mastoiditis]]. In case of [[sinusitis]] the [[frontal sinus]] is the most common culprit, followed by the [[ethmoidal sinus|ethmoidal]], [[sphenoidal sinus|sphenoidal]] and [[maxillary sinus|maxillary]] sinuses. The infection may then spread in two ways:
 
#hematogenous route via retrograde infection, from thrombophlebitis of mucosal veins, which drain the sinuses
Intracranial subdural empyema's origin generally depends on the age of the individual. In younger children, the [[subdural empyema|empyema]] most commonly results from complications of purulent [[meningitis]], while in older children and adults, it most commonly results from complications of [[sinusitis]], [[otitis media]], or [[mastoiditis]]. In the case of [[sinusitis]], the [[frontal sinus]] is the most commonly affected sinus, followed by the [[ethmoid sinus|ethmoidal]], [[sphenoidal sinuses|sphenoidal]], and [[maxillary sinus|maxillary]] sinuses. The infection may then spread in two ways:<ref name =MEDICI>{{Cite book  | last1 = Longo | first1 = Dan L. (Dan Louis) | title = Harrison's principles of internal medici | date = 2012 | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-07-174889-6 | pages =  }}</ref><ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref><ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref><ref name="pmid24171874">{{cite journal| author=Hendaus MA| title=Subdural empyema in children. | journal=Glob J Health Sci | year= 2013 | volume= 5 | issue= 6 | pages= 54-9 | pmid=24171874 | doi=10.5539/gjhs.v5n6p54 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=24171874  }} </ref><ref name="KapuPande2013">{{cite journal|last1=Kapu|first1=Ravindranath|last2=Pande|first2=Anil|last3=Ramamurthi|first3=Ravi|last4=Vasudevan|first4=MC|title=Primary interhemispheric subdural empyemas: A report of three cases and review of literature|journal=Indian Journal of Neurosurgery|volume=2|issue=1|year=2013|pages=66|issn=2277-9167|doi=10.4103/2277-9167.110227}}</ref><ref name="Courville1944">{{cite journal|last1=Courville|first1=C. B.|title=SUBDURAL EMPYEMA SECONDARY TO PURULENT FRONTAL SINUSITIS: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDY OF FORTY-TWO CASES VERIFIED AT AUTOPSY|journal=Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery|volume=39|issue=3|year=1944|pages=211–230|issn=0886-4470|doi=10.1001/archotol.1944.00680010224003}}</ref>
##contiguous infection via bone erosion and [[Haversian canals]] in bone, as a complication of osteomyelitis  
*[[Blood]], via retrograde [[infection]], from [[thrombophlebitis]] of mucosal veins, which drain the [[sinuses]]
*Direct contact via:
**[[Bone]] erosion and [[Haversian canals]] in [[bone]], as a complication of [[osteomyelitis]]
**[[Mastoid]] and [[middle ear]] by erosion of the tegmen tympani
**[[Frontal air sinus]] by erosion in its posterior wall
*[[Neurosurgery|Neurosurgical procedures]], such as [[subdural hematoma]] drainage, [[craniotomy]], and [[intracranial pressure]] monitoring
*Head [[trauma]]
*Bacteremic seeding of an previous [[subdural hematoma]]
 
The subdural empyema causes an [[inflammation|inflammatory reaction]] in the [[subdural space]], which may be accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid [[pleocytosis]] and [[encephalitis]]. The venous extension of the [[infection]] may lead to hemorrhagic [[infarction]] or superficial [[abscess]]. Next, [[cerebral edema]] and [[hydrocephalus]] may develop, which combined with the [[empyema]], creates a [[mass effect]] that increases [[intracranial pressure]], and leads to [[transtentorial herniation]], [[brainstem]] compression, and death.<ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc=|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref><ref name="Courville1944">{{cite journal|last1=Courville|first1=C. B.|title=SUBDURAL EMPYEMA SECONDARY TO PURULENT FRONTAL SINUSITIS: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDY OF FORTY-TWO CASES VERIFIED AT AUTOPSY|journal=Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery|volume=39|issue=3|year=1944|pages=211–230|issn=0886-4470|doi=10.1001/archotol.1944.00680010224003}}</ref> The most common [[pathogens]] in the intracranial type are:
*[[Anaerobic]] and [[microaerophilic]] [[Streptococci]]
*''[[Escherichia coli]]''
*[[Bacteroides]]


===Spinal Subdural Empyema===
Spinal subdural empyema is more rare compared to intracranial. This type of infection follows a similar pathophysiology to intracranial subdural empyema. Potential sources of spread of infection include:
*[[Blood]]
*[[Osteomyelitis]]
*[[Meningitis]]
*[[Lumbar puncture]]


However, there may be other sources for the infection, namely: distant sites, such as the lungs<ref name="AgrawalTimothy2007">{{cite journal|last1=Agrawal|first1=Amit|last2=Timothy|first2=Jake|last3=Pandit|first3=Lekha|last4=Shetty|first4=Lathika|last5=Shetty|first5=J.P.|title=A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management|journal=Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice|volume=15|issue=3|year=2007|pages=149–153|issn=1056-9103|doi=10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7}}</ref>
Spinal subdural empyemas are generally caused by [[Streptococci]] or ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]''.<ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc= |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


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[[Category:Infectious disease]]


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]; Anthony Gallo, B.S. [3]

Overview

Subdural empyema is a localized collection of pus between the dura mater and arachnoid mater, which occurs in either the intracranial space or the spinal canal.[1][2][3] Subdural empyema generally follows the same progression for both intracranial and spinal subtypes, spreading via blood or from nearby infection.

Pathophysiology

Subdural empyema is a localized collection of pus between the dura mater and arachnoid mater, which occurs in either the intracranial space or the spinal canal.[1][2][3]

Intracranial Subdural Empyema

Intracranial subdural empyema is usually unilateral, and affects the base of the brain, its convexity, the inter-hemispheric fissure along the falx cerebri, or the posterior fossa. The anatomy of the meningeal membranes dictate the course and characteristics of the disease. The dura mater and the arachnoid mater, which define the initial limits of the empyema, are joined only at the base of the brain, along the falx cerebri and at the tentorium cerebelli. This virtual space between these two meningeal membranes creates the potential for the infection to spread along the cerebral hemisphere, inter-hemispheric fissure, and posterior cranial fossa.

Intracranial subdural empyema's origin generally depends on the age of the individual. In younger children, the empyema most commonly results from complications of purulent meningitis, while in older children and adults, it most commonly results from complications of sinusitis, otitis media, or mastoiditis. In the case of sinusitis, the frontal sinus is the most commonly affected sinus, followed by the ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses. The infection may then spread in two ways:[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The subdural empyema causes an inflammatory reaction in the subdural space, which may be accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and encephalitis. The venous extension of the infection may lead to hemorrhagic infarction or superficial abscess. Next, cerebral edema and hydrocephalus may develop, which combined with the empyema, creates a mass effect that increases intracranial pressure, and leads to transtentorial herniation, brainstem compression, and death.[3][6] The most common pathogens in the intracranial type are:

Spinal Subdural Empyema

Spinal subdural empyema is more rare compared to intracranial. This type of infection follows a similar pathophysiology to intracranial subdural empyema. Potential sources of spread of infection include:

Spinal subdural empyemas are generally caused by Streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Longo, Dan L. (Dan Louis) (2012). Harrison's principles of internal medici. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-174889-6.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Agrawal, Amit; Timothy, Jake; Pandit, Lekha; Shetty, Lathika; Shetty, J.P. (2007). "A Review of Subdural Empyema and Its Management". Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice. 15 (3): 149–153. doi:10.1097/01.idc.0000269905.67284.c7. ISSN 1056-9103.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Greenlee JE (2003). "Subdural Empyema". Curr Treat Options Neurol. 5 (1): 13–22. PMID 12521560.
  4. Hendaus MA (2013). "Subdural empyema in children". Glob J Health Sci. 5 (6): 54–9. doi:10.5539/gjhs.v5n6p54. PMID 24171874.
  5. Kapu, Ravindranath; Pande, Anil; Ramamurthi, Ravi; Vasudevan, MC (2013). "Primary interhemispheric subdural empyemas: A report of three cases and review of literature". Indian Journal of Neurosurgery. 2 (1): 66. doi:10.4103/2277-9167.110227. ISSN 2277-9167.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Courville, C. B. (1944). "SUBDURAL EMPYEMA SECONDARY TO PURULENT FRONTAL SINUSITIS: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDY OF FORTY-TWO CASES VERIFIED AT AUTOPSY". Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 39 (3): 211–230. doi:10.1001/archotol.1944.00680010224003. ISSN 0886-4470.


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