Rare Concurrent Retroclival and Pan-Spinal Subdural Empyema: Review of Literature with an Uncommon Illustrative Case

CSE and SSE are neurosurgical emergencies, often requiring prompt surgical evacuation. Although very rare, Streptococcus mitis can cause spinal subdural empyema or retroclival abscesses. Natural history of this disease is grave without treatment. Delays in diagnosis and treatment are directly related to mortality and severe morbidity in patients with intracranial and spinal subdural empyema. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential to preclude severe neurologic disabilities or in rare cases a fatal outcome. A treatment paradigm for cranio-spinal empyema is proposed.