Spinal subdural empyema: report of two cases.

Spinal subdural empyema (SSE) is a rare variety of intraspinal infection. SSE should be suspected in patients presenting with fever, back pain, and signs of cord or nerve root compression. Two patients with SSE are presented. The first patient complained of fever and back pain. She had no neurological deficit but was found to have SSE. The second patient, who presented with intracerebral hemorrhage in the fifth month of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion, was found to have SSE at lumbar puncture. The clinical manifestations and management are discussed.