title: Subtentorial subdural empyema: report of two cases and review of the literatures.
abstract: Subtentorial subdural empyema is a rare form of intracranial suppuration. We     present two cases treated at our department within the last 11 years. The common     source was an ear infection. Both patients presented with headache, fever,     vomiting and stiff neck. Only one patient had disturbed consciousness. Both     patients received aggressive antibiotic therapy. The first patient was treated     with suboccipital craniectomy and evacuation of pus collection, while the second     patient was treated conservatively with antibiotics and ventriculoperitoneal     shunt for his associated supratentorial hydrocephalus. Both blood cultures and     empyema collection were sterile. Neuroimaging with computed tomography and     magnetic resonance imaging permitted accurate diagnosis and localization of the     purulent collections. At follow up of 11 years for the first case and 10 months     for the second, both patients had complete neurological recovery except for     right mild sixth nerve palsy in the patient with conservative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Zagazig University Hospitals, Department of Neurosurgery, Zagazig, Egypt. mahmoudlotfy1972@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Mahmoud M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassanaın
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy; D004322:Drainage; D013354:Empyema, Subdural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents