Frontal sinusitis complicated by a brain abscess and subdural empyema

Abstract

A 49-year-old male was brought to the Emergency Department after being found unresponsive. The patient had multiple seizures and was intubated in the prehospital setting. A computed tomography scan showed bilateral paranasal sinus disease, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a right frontal abscess and subdural empyema. Neurosurgery took the patient to the operating room, performed a craniotomy, and drained a large amount of purulent fluid. He was subsequently discharged for acute rehabilitation. Clinicians should consider complicated frontal sinusitis, especially in the undifferentiated patient presenting with neurologic deficits and signs or symptoms of sinus disease. Keywords: Subdural empyema, Brain abscess, Frontal sinusitis