Evaluation of treatment approaches for sinogenic intracranial abscess in
children
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the management practices and outcomes in
children with sinogenic intracranial suppuration. Design: Retrospective
cohort study. Setting: A single paediatric tertiary unit. Participants:
Patients younger than 18 years with radiologically confirmed
intracranial abscess including subdural empyema (SDE), epidural (EDA) or
intraparenchymal (IPA) abscess secondary to sinusitis. Main outcome
measures: The rates of return to theatre, the length of hospital stay
(LOS), death <90 days and neurological disability (ND) at 6
months. Results: A cohort of 39 consecutive patients (41% male, mean
age 11.5) presenting between 2000-2020 were eligible for inclusion. SDE
was the most common intracranial complication (n=25, 64%) followed by
EDA (n=12, 31%) and IPA (n=7, 18%). The mean LOS was 42 days (SD 16).
Sixteen patients (41%) were managed with combined ENT and neurosurgical
interventions, 15 (38.5%) underwent ENT procedure alone and 4 (10.3%)
had neurosurgical only drainage. Four patients initially underwent
non-operative management. The rates of return to theatre, ND and 90-day
mortality were 19 (48.7%), 9 (23.1%) and 3 (7.7%) respectively and
were comparable across the four treatment arms. In the univariate
logistic regression, only the size of an intracranial abscess (10mm)
was found be associated with an increased likelihood of return to
theatre (odds radio 7, confidence interval 1.09-45.1), while combined
ENT and neurosurgical intervention did not result in improved outcomes.
Conclusion: Sinogenic intracranial abscesses are associated with a
significant morbidity and mortality. The size of an intracranial abscess
has a strong association with a need for a revision surgery.