Intracranial epidural abscess epidemiology

Epidural abscesses are rare overall but together with subdural empyema account for around 20-33% of all intracranial infections. They can present in any age group and have no real gender predilection.

It is the third most common localized intracranial infection, after brain abscess and subdural empyema 1) 2).

It is far less common than spinal epidural abscess. In the past, most cases of intracranial epidural abscesses were associated with sinusitis, otitis, or mastoiditis. Today, many cases arise as a complication of neurosurgical procedures 3).

1)
Pfister H-W, Klein M, Tunkel AR, Scheld WM. Epidural abscess. In: Infections of the Central Nervous System, Fourth Edition, Scheld WM, Whitley RJ, Marra CM (Eds), Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia 2014. p.550.
2)
Harris LF, Haws FP, Triplett JN Jr, Maccubbin DA. Subdural empyema and epidural abscess: recent experience in a community hospital. South Med J. 1987 Oct;80(10):1254-8. doi: 10.1097/00007611-198710000-00014. PMID: 2889269.
3)
Eggart MD, Greene C, Fannin ES, Roberts OA. A 14-Year Review of Socioeconomics and Sociodemographics Relating to Intracerebral Abscess, Subdural Empyema, and Epidural Abscess in Southeastern Louisiana. Neurosurgery. 2016 Aug;79(2):265-9. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000001225. PMID: 26909804.