title: Otolaryngologic management of patients with subdural empyema.
abstract: From 1979 to 1988, 17 patients presented to Duke University Medical Center for treatment of subdural empyema. Empyemas were caused by sinusitis in 53% of the patients and by otitis media in 12%. None of those with otologic causes required mastoid drainage, while all patients with sinus infections required sinus drainage. External frontoethmoidectomies were associated with a lower incidence of frontoethmoid re-exploration (P = 0.048), and antrostomies with a lower incidence of maxillary re-exploration (P = 0.111), than were more limited drainage procedures. Sinus drainage performed simultaneously with neurosurgical drainage reduced the incidence of sinus re-exploration (P = 0.167), neurosurgical reexploration (P = 0.048), and length of hospitalization (P = 0.020).
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D013354:Empyema, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents