Successful surgical management of a cerebellar subdural empyema in a domestic cat

• Published in: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
• Main Authors: Ian Hall, Martin Hamon, Aurelie Bruwier, Sara Michell González Blancas, Pierre P. Picavet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-09-01
• Subjects: empyema; cerebellum; dura mater; craniotomy; otitis; cat
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1655305/full

This case report describes the successful diagnosis and surgical management of a cerebellar subdural empyema in a 14-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat. The patient presented with a left-sided head tilt and right-sided hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right-sided extra-axial cavitated lesion in the cerebellum, and mild right-sided otitis media without evidence of otitis interna. Surgical decompression was performed, guided by the use of a 3D-printed model, and purulent material was evacuated. Bacterial culture identified Peptostreptococcus canis, Filifactor villosus, and a Gram-negative rod population; all were suspectible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Cerebellar subdural lesion histopathologic analysis confirmed a pyogranulamatous to lymphoplasmocytic inflammatory process. The patient showed rapid postoperative neurological improvement and was discharged with targeted antimicrobial therapy. Follow-up MRI at 2 months revealed resolution of the cerebellar lesion but progression of right-sided otitis media without evidence of otitis interna. A ventral bulla osteotomy was subsequently performed, and tympanic mucosa biopsy confirmed chronic inflammation with cholesterol granuloma formation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful surgical treatment of a cerebellar subdural empyema in a feline patient.