brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Intracranial Epidural Abscess and Subdural Empyema
Diagnosis
Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography To diagnose an epidural abscess or a subdural empyema, doctors use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) done after gadolinium is injected intravenously. Gadolinium (an MRI contrast agent) makes abscesses and empyemas easier to see on MRI scans. If MRI is not available, computed tomography (CT) is done after a radiopaque contrast agent (which makes abscesses and empyemas easier to see on CT scans) is injected. Samples of blood and tissue are sent to a laboratory so that any bacteria present can be grown (cultured) identified. A Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) is of little help and may be dangerous. If a large abscess, empyema, or other mass is present in the skull, removing spinal fluid during a spinal tap can cause the brain to shift down and be forced through a small natural opening in the tissue that divides the brain into compartments (called 