Subdural Abscess Suspected to Have Developed From Acute Sinusitis via the Foramen Cecum: A Case Report

The foramen cecum connects the intracranial space to the sinus cavities. However, it is usually blind-ended and typically closed by surrounding bone and tissue. The opening of this anatomical structure can provide a pathway for intracranial infection from acute sinusitis. However, no previous reports have documented the spread of acute sinusitis intracranially via the foramen cecum, to the best of our knowledge. In this case report, we report a case of subdural abscess that was thought to have developed from acute frontal sinusitis through the foramen cecum and provide a review of relevant literature. The patient was a 15-year-old male. He developed right eyelid edema and diplopia after a common cold and was referred to our pediatric department after an MRI revealed sinus and intracranial lesions. Imaging studies suggested the development of a subdural abscess via the foramen cecum. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in our department to control the infection, followed by brain abscess drainage in the neurosurgery department. The foramen cecum is an anatomical feature that can connect the inside and outside of the skull, increasing the risk of infections spreading to the brain.