# Holohemispheric Intracranial Subdural Empyema as a Complication of Orbital Cellulitis

## TL;DR

A 22-year-old man with orbital cellulitis developed a severe brain infection requiring emergency surgery, showing the risk of neurological complications.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that orbital cellulitis can lead to a rare, life-threatening brain infection called holohemispheric subdural empyema.

## Key findings

- Orbital cellulitis can progress to intracranial subdural empyema.
- Sudden neurological deficits may indicate this complication.
- Prompt neurosurgical intervention is critical for survival.

## Abstract

Intracranial subdural empyema is a loculated collection of pus in the subdural space between the dura mater and the arachnoid that can be life-threatening. Here, we present a case of a 22-year-old man hospitalized for management of sepsis due to right orbital cellulitis who experienced sudden-onset right-sided hemiplegia and was found to have a holohemispheric intracranial subdural empyema requiring emergent neurosurgical intervention. Subdural empyemas are commonly caused by maxillofacial infections, including orbital infections. We demonstrate that orbital cellulitis may cause an intracranial subdural empyema that can present with sudden-onset neurological deficits warranting prompt neurosurgical intervention.