title: [Intracranial empyemas: Epidemiological, clinical, radiological and therapeutic aspects. Retrospective study of 100 observations].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracranial empyema is a frequent complication of ear-nose-throat (ENT) infections. Limited studies have been carried-out on cerebral empyema during recent years in Senegal. Despite new imaging techniques, diagnostic and therapeutic problems as well as outcome still remain in our regions. We report our experience compared to that of the literature. The study focused on epidemiological aspects, difficulties in diagnosis and treatment as well as prognosis of this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study conducted from January 2008 to December 2011 of 100 clinical cases. Diagnosis was made based on contrast CT-scan. Twenty-one percent of patients received medical treatment alone, while 79% underwent surgery. The duration of the treatment varied from 4 to 8 weeks. The follow-up was clinical and radiological with a mean follow-up time of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cerebral empyema represented 44.4 % of all intracranial suppuration cases and the mean age was 21 years. The etiology was ENT in 35%, meningitis 10%, unknown 25%. Localization was sub-dural in 57%, extra-dural in 22%, inter-hemispheric in 10% of the cases. Empyema was associated with an abscess in 7 cases. One case was located in the posterior fossa. The evolution was favorable in 78% of the cases and in 12.5% some neurologic sequelae were observed. Eleven patients died and 3% of the patients had recurrences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of intracranial empyema is still high in Senegal. Difficulties in diagnosis, therapeutics and low economic incomes account for the gravity of intracranial empyema. In spite of these risks, early stage and effective treatment is necessary to reduce the morbi-mortality, especially in young aged children.
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: H A K
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ouiminga
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal. Electronic address: diof76@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thiam
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ndoye
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fatigba
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thioub
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Memou
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaye Sakho
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korchi
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendy
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ba
authors.affiliation: Clinique de neurochirurgie, CHNU Fann, BP 5035, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Badiane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004653:Empyema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Antibiotherapy; Antibiothérapie; Chirurgie; Empyème intracrânien; Intracranial empyema; Prognosis; Pronostic; Surgery