CEREBRAL VENTRICULAR EMPYEMA ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE ADULT PYOGENIC MENINGITIS - COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS

Cerebral ventricular empyema (CVE), also known as pyocephalus, is a ra re form of pyogenic ventriculitis. We present cranial computed tomogra phy (CT) in an adult who developed a bilateral CVE associated with acu te pyogenic meningitis. CT showed an obstructive ventriculomegaly and fluid-fluid levels layering in the lateral ventricles and the third ve ntricle. Frank neutrophilic pus was taken from the subarachnoid space. After antibiotic treatment, the pyocephalus resolved. CVE may be visu alized on CT with pus layering in the ventricular CSF, creating a flui d level of intermediate hypodensity. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.