J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2009 Jan;45(1):53-56. 10.3340/jkns.2009.45.1.53.

Superimposed Propionibacterium Acnes Subdural Empyema in a Patient with Chronic Subdural Hematoma

• Kim JH
• Lee CH
• Hwang SH
• Kang DH

• KMID: 1466346
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2009.45.1.53

Abstract

The authors present a case of subdural empyema in a macrocephalic patient. A 23-year-old male was admitted due to headache and fever. One month ago, he had mild head injury by his coworkers. Physical examination showed a macrocephaly and laboratory findings suggested purulent meningitis. Neuroimaging studies revealed a huge size of epidural space-occupying lesion. Under the impression of epidural abscess, operation was performed. Eventually, the lesion was located at subdural space and was proven to be subdural empyema. Later, histological examination of the specimen obtained by surgery demonstrated finings consistent with the capsule of the chronic subdural hematoma. Two weeks after operation, Propionibacterium acnes was isolated. The intravenous antibiotics were used for total of eight weeks under monitoring of the serum level of the C-reactive protein. Follow-up brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed the presence of significant amount of remaining subdural lesion. However, he has complained of minimal discomfort. It is suggested that the subdural empyema occurred with preexisting chronic subdural hematoma after head injury about one month prior to admission and it took a long time to treat Propionibacterium acnes subdural empyema with systemic antibiotics, at least over eight weeks.

Keyword

Subdural empyema; Chronic subdural hematoma; Propionibacterium acnes; C-reactive protein

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Brain
C-Reactive Protein
Craniocerebral Trauma
Empyema, Subdural
Epidural Abscess
Fever
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic
Humans
Macrocephaly
Male
Meningitis
Neuroimaging
Physical Examination
Propionibacterium
Propionibacterium acnes
Subdural Space
Young Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
C-Reactive Protein