Cranial infections

Abstract

Cranial infections continue to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. To understand cranial infections, knowledge of anatomy is important because the pathogenesis and sequelae vary according to anatomical location and their functional relevance. Microorganisms, owing to their intrinsic properties and distinct characteristics, produce relatively specific clinical syndromes in cranial infections. Definitive treatment depends on prompt microbial identification and antimicrobial treatment, reduction of microbial load, relief of excessive pressure or mass effect and modulation of the host’s immune response to allow successful microbial clearance while minimizing inflammation and oedema. In this chapter, we will discuss the management of common cranial infections and their associated clinical conundrums from a neurosurgical perspective.