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. 2022 Jan 24;3(4):CASE21507.
doi: 10.3171/CASE21507. Print 2022 Jan 24.

Mycotic aneurysm presenting as subdural empyema: illustrative case

Joshua T M Lucas  1 , Shahed Elhamdani  2 , Seung W Jeong  2 , Alexander Yu  2
Affiliations

Mycotic aneurysm presenting as subdural empyema: illustrative case

Joshua T M Lucas et al. J Neurosurg Case Lessons. .

Abstract

Background: Mycotic aneurysms (MAs) are rare intracranial pathologies. They are associated with spontaneous rupture, which is often the first presenting sign. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraparenchymal hemorrhage are the most common sequelae of ruptured MAs, with subdural hematoma being an atypical presentation. The presentation of an MA as a subdural empyema has not yet been reported in the literature.

Observations: The authors discussed a 68-year-old man who presented with subdural empyema and received surgery for evacuation. He was found to have a ruptured mycotic aneurysm intraoperatively.

Lessons: This case demonstrated a rare and atypical presentation of an MA.

Keywords: mycotic aneurysm; subdural empyema; subdural hematoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures Dr. Yu reported personal fees from Synaptive Medical, Medtronic, and Haptic Systems outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
MRI sequences showing subdural fluid collection. A: Diffusion-weighted imaging. B: T1-weighted imaging. C: Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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