Bilateral Decompressive Craniectomy for Subdural Empyema: A Case Report
Abstract
Intracranial subdural empyema (SDE) is a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by the rapid spread of purulent infection within the subdural space and a high risk of neurological deterioration. Despite significant improvements in neuroimaging, antimicrobial therapy, and surgical techniques, severe cases may progress to diffuse cerebral edema and refractory intracranial hypertension, challenging conventional management strategies. Surgical evacuation remains the cornerstone of treatment; however, the role of decompressive craniectomy in infection-related intracranial hypertension is not well established and is supported primarily by isolated reports. We present a case of fulminant SDE requiring bilateral decompressive craniectomy as a life-saving measure due to uncontrollable intracranial pressure. This case underscores the potential role of aggressive decompressive surgery in selected patients with severe inflammatory brain swelling secondary to intracranial infection and highlights the need for heightened clinical awareness and individualized surgical decision-making. While bilateral decompressive craniectomy remains exceedingly rare in the context of SDE, this report contributes to the limited body of literature and suggests that such an approach may be considered in extreme cases when standard surgical interventions fail to achieve adequate intracranial pressure control.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Survey on Knowledge Graphs: Representation, Acquisition, and Applications
- Toxicity of nanomaterials
- The Human Gene Mutation Database: towards a comprehensive repository of inherited mutation data for medical research, genetic diagnosis and next-generation sequencing studies
- Halogen bonding (X‐bonding): A biological perspective
- Biofilm formation at the air–liquid interface by the Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 wrinkly spreader requires an acetylated form of cellulose
- Opioid Activation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Contributes to Drug Reinforcement
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.