SUBDURAL EMPYEMAS Meaning and
Definition
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Subdural empyemas are a medical condition characterized by the presence of pus (a thick, yellowish fluid composed of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris) between the layers of the dura mater (the tough outer membrane covering the brain) and the arachnoid membrane (the middle layer of the meninges that protect the brain and spinal cord). This condition typically occurs as a result of infection in the nearby structures, such as sinusitis, ear infections, or dental infections, which can spread bacteria to the subdural space.
The accumulation of pus within the subdural space leads to inflammation and increased pressure on the brain, which can cause symptoms like severe headache, fever, confusion, altered consciousness, seizures, and neurological deficits. The condition requires prompt medical attention as it can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated.
The diagnosis of subdural empyemas often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, neuroimaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the collection of cerebrospinal fluid for laboratory analysis.
Treatment of subdural empyemas typically involves a combination of surgical drainage and administration of appropriate antibiotics to control the infection. In some cases, the surgical evacuation of the pus may necessitate the creation of burr holes or more extensive craniotomy procedures. Timely and effective treatment is crucial to prevent the infection from spreading and causing further brain damage.
Common Misspellings for SUBDURAL EMPYEMAS
- aubdural empyemas
- zubdural empyemas
- xubdural empyemas
- dubdural empyemas
- eubdural empyemas
- wubdural empyemas
- sybdural empyemas
- shbdural empyemas
- sjbdural empyemas
- sibdural empyemas
- s8bdural empyemas
- s7bdural empyemas
- suvdural empyemas
- sundural empyemas
- suhdural empyemas
- sugdural empyemas
- subsural empyemas
- subxural empyemas
- subcural empyemas
- subfural empyemas
Etymology of SUBDURAL EMPYEMAS
The word "subdural" is derived from the Latin prefix "sub-" meaning "below" or "under", and the word "dura" which refers to the dura mater, which is the tough outermost membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. "Empyema" originates from the Greek word "empysēma" meaning "abscess" or "filled with pus". Therefore, the term "subdural empyemas" refers to the accumulation of pus or infection that occurs between the dura mater and the underlying arachnoid membrane of the brain.
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