Mixed bacterial subdural empyema complicating subdural peritoneal shunt

Bilateral subdural empyema occurred in a nine-month-old boy with a subdural-peritoneal shunt. Because of the mixed composition of bacterial growths, representative of faecal flora, it is assumed that the infection originated from perforation of the bowel by the distal tip of the shunt catheter, although no abnormal abdominal signs or symptoms were noted.