Subtentorial subdural empyema: report of two cases and review of the literatures.

Subtentorial subdural empyema is a rare form of intracranial suppuration. We present two cases treated at our department within the last 11 years. The common source was an ear infection. Both patients presented with headache, fever, vomiting and stiff neck. Only one patient had disturbed consciousness. Both patients received aggressive antibiotic therapy. The first patient was treated with suboccipital craniectomy and evacuation of pus collection, while the second patient was treated conservatively with antibiotics and ventriculoperitoneal shunt for his associated supratentorial hydrocephalus. Both blood cultures and empyema collection were sterile. Neuroimaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging permitted accurate diagnosis and localization of the purulent collections. At follow up of 11 years for the first case and 10 months for the second, both patients had complete neurological recovery except for right mild sixth nerve palsy in the patient with conservative treatment.