In comparison with the two previous studies, the overall incidence of intracranial abscesses is decreasing on Merseyside. Moreover, the predisposing factors for intracranial abscesses have changed over the decades. The number of otogenic cases has declined. The incidence of brain abscesses following neurosurgical procedures is still a major cause for concern, as is the emergence of MRSA, as a significant pathogen.

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In the last two decades, more elaborative use of intensive care units for serious medical disorders, advancements in transplant procedures and concomitant use of immunosuppressive therapies as well as the pandemic spread of HIV, etc. have increased the incidence of systemic fungal infections, especially life threatening central nervous system (CNS) infections. The CNS fungal infections present with various clinical syndromes: meningitis; encephalitis; hydrocephalus/raised intracranial pressure (raised ICP); space occupying lesions; orbito-rhino-cerebral syndromes; acute cerebro-vascular events and spinal infections. However, the common presentations among these ones are basal meningitis, hydrocephalus, space occupying lesions (cerebral abscesses and granulomas) and stroke syndromes. Clinical picture may mimic tubercular meningitis and therefore, needs careful evaluation. The CNS mycoses carry higher risks of morbidities and mortality as compared to other infective processes and therefore promptly require precise diagnosis and appropriate medical and/or surgical management strategies to optimize the outcome. Among the antifungal drugs, the Amphotericin B had remained first line of therapy for many decades in invasive fungal infections but is not effective in many forms of mycoses. Fortunately, many useful antifungal drugs were introduced during the last two decades. Initially, the lipid based formulations of the Amphotericin B, then the new triazoles and most recently, echinocandins. These medications are used more frequently in combinations. Now evidence based data are gathering together in favor of their usefulness in the management of invasive fungal infections. But still, many questions are unanswered and controversies persist relating to their selection and use.

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The authors report a symptomatic congenitally anomalous ectatic vertebral artery not passing through the transverse foramen of the atlas (C-1), but instead piercing the dura mater below the posterior arch of the C-1 in the atlantoaxial (C1-2) interlaminar space. This occurrence is exceptionally rare, but in this case it was uniquely associated with occipital neuralgia due to vascular compression of the C-2 root. Microvascular decompression was curative. Neuroradiological and surgical findings are presented and their implications discussed.

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Focal intracranial infections due to Salmonella are rare. So far, around 80 cases have been reported in the world literature. The authors present their experience of 6 cases of intracranial Salmonella infections, mainly subdural empyema in 5 and effusion in 1. In 1 case, subdural empyema was bilateral, and in another case, there was an associated brain abscess. Positive blood cultures and positive Widal tests were noticed in 2 patients each. Early diagnosis and prompt evacuation of subdural collections and brain abscess and antibiotic therapy lead to satisfactory results. This study suggests that a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and quick evacuation lead to success; this point is highlighted with the help of a review of the literature.

Two unique cases of chronic calcified subdural hematomas are reported in children as a long-term complication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Both the patients had undergone shunt procedures in infancy for congenital hydrocephalus. In one patient, the cause of the hydrocephalus was aqueduct stenosis, while in the second patient, a lumbar meningomyelocele was associated with hydrocephalus. In both these patients, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was done in infancy. In one of them, following the shunt surgery, a bilateral subdural collection was noticed which required burr hole evacuation. Both the patients remained asymptomatic for 9 years, when they presented to our center with acute raised intracranial pressure and contralateral hemiparesis. Both the patients had a relatively short history and had altered sensorium at admission. Surprisingly, in both the patients, the CT scan showed significant mass effect producing calcified subdural hematomas. The shunt systems were found to be working well at surgery. Craniotomy and excision of the calcified subdural hematomas was undertaken. Postoperatively, the patients showed satisfactory recovery, and at discharge the patients were doing well. At the follow-up at the outpatient clinic, the patients were asymptomatic.