A case of infected subdural hematoma

Abstract

We report a case of infected subdural hematoma(ISH). We followed up an 81-year-old man with asymptomatic chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH). After half a year, he came to our hospital because of reduced activities of daily living and a high fever. Although his inflammatory markers were high, various cultures and imaging studies yielded negative results. Right hemiparesis developed 5 days later. Burr-hole surgery was performed to treat the CSDH. The hematoma proved to be mixed with pus, suggesting ISH. The ISH recurred twice despite antibiotic therapy and repeated irrigation. Finally, inflammatory parameters normalized and computed tomography disclosed an organized CSDH. ISH should be suspected in patients with CSDH presenting with high fever.