Surgical management and functional outcomes of cranial infections requiring craniotomy or craniectomy: a retrospective cohort study - Scorecard - MDSpire

Surgical management and functional outcomes of cranial infections requiring craniotomy or craniectomy: a retrospective cohort study

  • By

  • Daniel W. Griepp

  • Shivum Desai

  • Heather Heitkotter

  • Rabia Ahmed

  • Avery Roe

  • Bryce K. Sarcar

  • Ishan Perera

  • Joshua Caskey

  • Jeffrey P. Turnbull

  • Julio Rosado Philippi

  • Elise J. Yoon

  • Ammar Alsalahi

  • James Dragonette

  • Anna T. K. Griepp

  • Clifford M. Houseman

  • Prashant Kelkar

  • Chad F. Claus

  • Boyd F. Richards

  • Daniel A. Carr

  • June 22, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Outcomes and Surgical Approaches for Cranial Infections Necessitating Craniotomy or Craniectomy: A Retrospective Analysis

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionCranial infections requiring surgical intervention
Key MechanismsInfections include surgical site infections (SSI) and spontaneous infections like subdural empyema and intraparenchymal abscess.
Target PopulationPatients aged 18 years and older undergoing craniotomy or craniectomy for cranial infections.
Care SettingHigh-volume neurosurgical center

Key Highlights

  • 43 patients included in the study with a mean age of 55.5 years.
  • Most common pathogens isolated were Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus intermedius.
  • 65.8% of evaluable survivors achieved a good outcome (mRS 0–3) at median 11-month follow-up.
  • Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index associated with poor outcomes.
  • Patients with SSI had a significantly higher rate of craniectomy.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis of SSI guided by CDC guidelines, requiring evidence of infection post-surgery.

Management

  • Surgical intervention often necessitates craniotomy or craniectomy, with prolonged courses of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Vigilant monitoring for recurrence is essential in managing cranial infections.

Risks

  • Poor outcomes associated with higher comorbidity and underlying aggressive pathology.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Adults aged 18 and older with cranial infections.

Median duration of intravenous antibiotics was 6 weeks.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Consider pre-existing comorbidities when assessing functional outcomes.
  • High culture yield regardless of preoperative antibiotic initiation.

Related Resources & Content

    Original Source(s)

    Surgical management and functional outcomes of cranial infections requiring craniotomy or craniectomy: a retrospective cohort study

    • by Daniel W. Griepp, Shivum Desai, Heather Heitkotter, Rabia Ahmed, Avery Roe, Bryce K. Sarcar, Ishan Perera, Joshua Caskey, Jeffrey P. Turnbull, Julio Rosado Philippi, Elise J. Yoon, Ammar Alsalahi, James Dragonette, Anna T. K. Griepp, Clifford M. Houseman, Prashant Kelkar, Chad F. Claus, Boyd F. Richards, Daniel A. Carr

    • June 22, 2026

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