OBJECTIVEIntracranial infections are serious and life-threatening health problems. They may present as subdural empyemas or intracerebral abscesses. Surgical drainage and subsequent antibiotic treatment is the main technique for a satisfactory clinical outcome. The aims of this study were to present a 10-year intracranial infection series and discuss the surgical characteristics in the light of literature.METHODSFifty-two patients with intracranial infection underwent surgical treatment between 2008 and 2018. Eleven patients were female and 41 patients were male. The mean age was 40.46 years (range 10–75 years). Eighteen patients had intracerebral abscesses, and 34 had subdural empyemas. All patients underwent surgical treatment as well as an antibiotic regimen.RESULTSNo etiological agent was isolated in 29 (56%) cases. Bacterial agents were detected in 20 cases, while fungi were observed in 3 cases. Staphylococci species were the most common agents and were isolated in 8 (15%) cases. Endoscopic aspiration was performed in 3 cases, while surgical drainage and capsule resection via craniotomy was performed in 49 cases. An associated intracranial tumor was diagnosed in 2 patients with brain abscesses. Four (8%) patients died despite surgical and medical treatments.CONCLUSIONSSurgical treatment via craniotomy is an older method, but it is still the best to treat the intracranial infections not only for decompression of the brain but also to attain an accurate diagnosis. The abscess wall should always be histologically examined after surgery to rule out any intracranial tumor.

Background and aim: Creating potential clinical markers for risk assessment in patients with COVID-19 continues to be an area of interest. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether serum albumin level and thrombocyte/lymphocyte ratio are related to the severity of the disease. Materials and methods:The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of disease. Demographic data, serum albumin value, lymphocyte count, TLO-1 values (thrombocyte/lymphocyte ratio-1), the highest thrombocyte count during hospitalization, TLO-2 (thrombocyte/lymphocyte ratio-2) values formed by the highest thrombocyte count, were recorded.Results: There was no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in terms of sex, thrombocyte count at the time of admission, and highest thrombocyte count during hospital follow-up. There were statistically significant differences in terms of age, comorbidity, lymphocyte value at the time of hospitalization, lymphocyte count during hospital follow-up, TLO 1, TLO 2, and serum albumin values between the groups. The ICU group were found to be older, had higher rates of comorbidity, lower lymphocyte values, higher TLO 1-2, and lower serum albumin levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion:TLO-2 ratio above 260 and lymphocyte level below 1 103 cells/µL, would be a predictor of further intensive care unit need.

Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) is a rare, slow-growing, benign lesion of the cerebellum. It is often seen in the second and fourth decades. This disease is extremely rare in childhood. A 6-year-old girl presented with loss of balance. A mass lesion in the right cerebellum was detected by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent surgical removal of the lesion, and the histological diagnosis was dysplastic gangliocytoma (LDD). The patient was discharged without complication, and her balance improved in the follow-up period. In this report, we present this rare occurrence in childhood and discuss the clinical course and management. LDD is very rare in early childhood and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa lesions.

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