Subdural empyema secondary to pansinusitis after coronavirus disease 2019 infection in an immunocompetent patient: illustrative case

BACKGROUND: Superimposed intracranial infection is an uncommon but clinically significant complication in patients with active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in those with predisposing immunocompromising conditions. OBSERVATIONS: The authors describe a case of subdural empyema, secondary to extension from pansinusitis, in a 20-year-old otherwise healthy immunocompetent male who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. Despite his critical condition at time of presentation, he made a full clinical recovery with aggressive multidisciplinary surgical management between neurosurgery and otolaryngology, despite negative cultures to guide directed antimicrobial therapy. Ultimately, use of molecular-based polymerase chain reaction testing diagnosed Aspergillus fumigatus as the offending pathogen after the patient had already recovered and was discharged from the hospital. LESSONS: This case demonstrates the potential for significant superimposed intracranial infection even in young, healthy individuals, infected by COVID-19 and suggests an aggressive surgical approach to achieve source control, particularly in the absence of positive cultures to guide antimicrobial therapies, may lead to rapid clinical improvement.