Continuous subdural irrigation and drainage for intracranial subdural empyema in a 92-year-old woman

Abstract

Introduction: Intracranial subdural empyema (ISDE) is a life-threatening intracranial infection. Early and precise detection, timely surgery, and appropriate antibiotic therapy are the keys to a more favorable clinical outcome. Treatment is aimed at complete evacuation of the empyema and eradication of the source of infection. However, in the case of elderly patients or patients with poor health, doctors hesitate to perform open cranial surgery under general anesthesia; thus, the choice of appropriate surgical method is fraught with many limitations.

Case report: We present a case of ISDE in a 92-year-old woman who was successfully treated with continuous irrigation of the subdural space with antibiotics and drainage through 2 burr holes for 1 week without any complications.

Conclusion: Continuous subdural irrigation is useful for the evacuation of pus and eradication of the source of infection, thereby resulting in a favorable outcome, especially in elderly patients and patients with poor health.