Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40407913›Full record

ArticleActa neurochirurgica2025

Incidence, predictors, and management of postoperative subdural empyema following chronic subdural hematoma evacuation: a population-based cohort study.

Sophia Jansson, Nike Halvardsson Flores, Ali Buwaider, Helge Johansson, Akhar Shokri Stenström, Jiri Bartek, Alexander Fletcher-Sandersjöö

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Acta neurochirurgica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sophia JanssonDepartment of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nike Halvardsson FloresDepartment of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ali BuwaiderDepartment of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Helge JohanssonDepartment of Neurosurgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Akhar Shokri StenströmInfectious Diseases Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Jiri BartekDepartment of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Alexander Fletcher-SandersjööDepartment of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. alexander.fletcher-sandersjoo@ki.se.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSubdural empyema (SDE) is a rare but potentially serious complication following chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) evacuation. This study aimed to establish the incidence of postoperative SDE, identify risk factors for its development, characterize the bacterial pathogens involved, and evaluate optimal surgical management strategies.

methodsPatients aged ≥ 15 years who underwent CSDH evacuation at the Karolinska University Hospital between 2006 and 2022 were retrospectively screened for postoperative SDE. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of SDE development and treatment failure.

resultsAmong 2656 operations for CSDH, 37 (1.4%) resulted in postoperative SDE. Independent predictors of SDE were larger CSDH diameter (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 - 1.17, p < 0.001) and Cloxacillin prophylaxis during index CSDH-surgery (OR 4.63, 95% CI 2.19 - 11.0, p < 0.001). Hemiparesis (54%) and wound infection (30%) were the most common SDE symptoms, and fever was frequently absent. Cutibacterium acnes was the most common bacterial isolate, identified in 76% of cases. Craniotomy was more effective than burr-hole evacuation for managing SDE, with the latter showing a higher risk of reoperation (OR 11.5, 95% CI 1.72 - 230, p = 0.032). The median antibiotic treatment duration was 48 days (interquartile range 35-77). One-year mortality did not differ significantly between patients with and without SDE (8.1% vs. 12%, p = 0.618).

conclusionA larger CSDH diameter and Cloxacillin prophylaxis significantly increased the risk of postoperative SDE. Craniotomy was more effective than burr-hole evacuation for SDE management, and one-year mortality was not elevated in patients who developed an SDE.

Indexed as

Empyema, SubduralHematoma, Subdural, ChronicPostoperative ComplicationsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnti-Bacterial AgentsCohort StudiesFemaleHumansIncidenceMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesRisk FactorsAnti-Bacterial AgentsBurr-holeChronic subdural hematomaCraniotomyNeurosurgeryPostoperative infectionSubdural empyema

Identifiers

PMID40407913
PMCPMC12102136

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.