Intracranial empyema in children

Abstracts with 16% from oncology, 12% from a central line, 19% from PICU, 11% SCBU, 6% an immunodeficiency. 31 (33%) patients with 41 positive blood cultures fulfilled selection criteria. One was MRSA positive. 24/31 (77%) of positive blood cultures were felt to be clinically significant (though 3/24 of these initially noted as ‘‘contaminant’’?). Presentations included; 42% skin; 37% bone; 17% chest; 4% sepsis. Clinically significant infections were more likely to present with fever (75% v 43%) in clinically insignificant group were more likely to receive antibiotics on presentation (71% v 29%), be given intravenous antibiotics for longer (8.5 days v 1.6 days) and have a longer total antibiotic treatment course (26 days v 2.4 days). All of those felt to be clinically insignificant had a single positive BC, 71% were