Streptococcus pyogenes subdural empyema not detected by computed tomography

Summary A previously healthy 5-year-old boy presented with a non-specific febrile illness and seizures. Streptococcus pyogenes was identified in his blood culture. The spinal fluid revealed minimal pleocytosis and an axial computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was normal. Ongoing symptoms prompt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of infectious diseases 2009-01, Vol.13 (1), p.e15-e17
Main Authors: Viola, Shelton, Montoya, Gregory, Arnold, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood - microbiology
Child, Preschool
Computed tomography
Culture Media
Diagnostic Errors
Empyema, Subdural - diagnosis
Empyema, Subdural - diagnostic imaging
Empyema, Subdural - microbiology
Humans
Infectious Disease
Intracranial infections
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Streptococcal Infections - diagnosis
Streptococcal Infections - diagnostic imaging
Streptococcal Infections - microbiology
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenes - isolation & purification
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Summary A previously healthy 5-year-old boy presented with a non-specific febrile illness and seizures. Streptococcus pyogenes was identified in his blood culture. The spinal fluid revealed minimal pleocytosis and an axial computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was normal. Ongoing symptoms prompted a magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed a subdural empyema. Our patient diverges from the few previously reported S. pyogenes intracranial infections in that there was neither an adjacent infection nor a bacterial meningitis. In addition, we discuss the few studies addressing the sensitivity of CT for the diagnosis of bacterial intracranial infections.
ISSN:1201-9712
1878-3511
DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2008.02.014