S Dwarakanath1, A Suri, A K Mahapatra. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
CLINICAL HISTORY: Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the tropical countries. Cerebral malaria is usually a diffuse symmetric encephalopathy with focal signs being unusual. METHODS: We present a three-year old girl lapsing into unconsciousness following a seizure while undergoing treatment for malaria. Imaging revealed a large heterogenous density, left hemispheric acute subdural haematoma with brain herniation. Investigations revealed anaemia, thrombocytopenia and positive peripheral blood smear for falciparum malaria. RESULTS: Treatment involved surgical evacuation of the clot and the associated subdural empyema, intravenous quinine and antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This is the second case report of spontaneous subdural empyema in complicated falciparum malaria and highlights a rare but surgically manageable complication.
CLINICAL HISTORY: Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the tropical countries. Cerebral malaria is usually a diffuse symmetric encephalopathy with focal signs being unusual. METHODS: We present a three-year old girl lapsing into unconsciousness following a seizure while undergoing treatment for malaria. Imaging revealed a large heterogenous density, left hemispheric acute subdural haematoma with brain herniation. Investigations revealed anaemia, thrombocytopenia and positive peripheral blood smear for falciparum malaria. RESULTS: Treatment involved surgical evacuation of the clot and the associated subdural empyema, intravenous quinine and antibiotics. CONCLUSION: This is the second case report of spontaneous subdural empyema in complicated falciparum malaria and highlights a rare but surgically manageable complication.
Authors: Pedro Pallangyo; Frederick Lyimo; Paulina Nicholaus; Ulimbakisya Kain; Mohamed Janabi Journal: J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep Date: 2016-08-30