Subdural empiyema in the Kenyan African

Afri. J. Neuro. Sci. Vol. 16 No. 1 Jan 1997

SUBDURAL EMPYEMA IN THE KENYAN AFRICAN

R.F. RUBERTI

African Neurological Diseases Research Foundation Nairobi, Kenya.

Code Number:NS97003

SUMMARY

Nine cases of subdural empyema in the Kenyan African are reported. This rare but very serious intracranial infection arises as a complication of meningitis in infants and as a complication of paranasal sinusitis, otitis or trauma in older children and adults. In two cases with chronic posttraumatic subdural haematoma, the hematoma became infected by haematogenous seeding. It is the Author's opinion that the treatment has a better outcome by draining the pus via craniotomy rather than burr holes. The operative mortality was of two cases (22.2 per cent).

RESUME

Neuf cas d'empyeme subdural observes au Kenya sont rapportes. Ces rares mais graves infections intracraniennes sont une complication des meningites chez le jeune enfant, et des sinusites, des otites et des traumatismes craniens chez les enfants plus ages ou les adultes. Dans deux cas avec un hematome subdural chronique posttraumatique, l'infection etait d'origine sanguine. D'apres les auteurs, le traitement par drainage du pus est preferable apres une craniotomie plutet que par des trous de trepan. La mortalite operatoire a ete de 2 cas (22,2%).

Key words: Subdural Empyema - Kenya