Infected subfural hematoma: three case reports involving gram-negative organisms.

Three case reports of infected subdural hematoma are presented, two with Salmonellae and one with Escherichia. Infection of such hematomas most often occurs during bacteremia, and the area of infection is limited by the existing hematoma membrane. Clincally, fever, headache, nuchal rigidity, and focal neurological signs, especially in a patient with previous head trauma, suggest subdural infection. Treatment consists of drainage and systemic antibiotics. These case reports demonstrate the clinical features of this rarely reported entity, and especially illustrate the need for careful bacteriologic identification in suspected cases.