Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 Apr;41(4):534-537.

A Case of Subtentorial Subdural Empyema Resulting from Chronic Otitis Media with Cholesteatoma

• Kim YK
• Seo SY
• Kim KM
• Yoon YJ

Abstract

The subdural empyema is a rare disease characterized by a collection of pus in the subdural space. It usually occurs as a complication of otolaryngologic infections such as paranasal sinusitis, otitis media or mastoiditis. Although pus may localize anywhere in the subdural space, more than 90% of cases occur supratentorially. Infratentorial subdural empyema is rare, most of them otogenic, but subtentorially localized empyema is even rarer. It is considered as a neurosurgical emergency, but some authors have reported successful treatment of subdural empyema with conservative treatment. We have experienced a case of subtentorial subdural empyema resuting from chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma which was successfully treated with mastoidectomy, accompanied by the conservative treatment. In this paper, we report this case with a review of literature.

Keyword

Subtentorial subdural empyema; Cholesteatoma; Conservative treatment

MeSH Terms

Cholesteatoma*
Emergencies
Empyema
Empyema, Subdural*
Mastoid
Mastoiditis
Otitis Media*
Otitis*
Rare Diseases
Sinusitis
Subdural Space
Suppuration