{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,19]],"date-time":"2026-08-19T18:34:28Z","timestamp":1787164468470,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":16,"publisher":"Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)","issue":"5","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>OBJECTIVE<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Sinogenic intracranial infections in children, such as subdural empyema or intracranial abscess, are a rare disease process with significant associated morbidity. Recent literature has suggested that there may have been an increase in frequency of these infections following the COVID-19 pandemic, but the literature has been conflicting, perhaps related to the heterogenous management of COVID-19 lockdowns in various states and differences in data capture between methods. The collection of statewide Australian data overcomes these limitations by capturing a comprehensive sample though the public healthcare system of patients who were subject to a homogeneous statewide approach to public health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic (population 5.6 million, including 1.3 million children). The objective of this study was to present population-level data to address the question of whether the incidence of intracranial infections changed in pediatric patients before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>METHODS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The authors present a retrospective 10-year statewide description of sinogenic intracranial infections in Queensland, Australia. A comparison was made between the incidence and microbiological profile before and after the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns on March 22, 2020.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>RESULTS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Forty-four pediatric intracranial infections undergoing neurosurgical intervention were identified within the review period. After exclusion of postsurgical and cardioembolic causes, 33 sinogenic intracranial infections were included (16 before and 17 after 2020, with a mean annualized incidence of 0.25 vs 0.37 cases per 100,000 children, respectively; p &gt; 0.05). The most frequent organisms identified were\n                      <jats:italic>Streptococcus milleri<\/jats:italic>\n                      (n = 19), polymicrobial (n = 4), and\n                      <jats:italic>S. aureus<\/jats:italic>\n                      (n = 3). No significant differences in antimicrobial profile, susceptibility, parenchymal involvement, or clinical outcome were identified between the pre\u2013 and post\u2013COVID-19 groups.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>CONCLUSIONS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>No statistically significant differences in the epidemiology of pediatric intracranial infection have occurred in the state of Queensland, Australia, before and after March 22, 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3171\/2024.6.peds24201","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,16]],"date-time":"2024-08-16T22:18:31Z","timestamp":1723846711000},"page":"489-494","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Ten-year statewide cross-sectional review of pediatric sinogenic intracranial abscess and empyema in Queensland, Australia: microbial profile before and after COVID-19"],"prefix":"10.3171","volume":"34","author":[{"given":"Michael J.","family":"Stuart","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, South Brisbane;"},{"name":"School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Douglas;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Annabelle M.","family":"Harbison","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, South Brisbane;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Norman","family":"Ma","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, South Brisbane;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Robert A. J.","family":"Campbell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, South Brisbane;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amelia J.","family":"Jardim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, South Brisbane;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"David S.","family":"Anderson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Townsville University Hospital, Douglas;"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Teresa K.","family":"Withers","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport; and"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Liam G.","family":"Coulthard","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neurosurgery, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, South Brisbane;"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1754","reference":[{"key":"b1","series-title":"Handb Clin Neurol","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1127","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-444-52910-7.00032-5","article-title":"Brain abscess","volume":"112","author":"S\u00e1ez-Llorens X","year":"2013","unstructured":"S\u00e1ez-Llorens X, Nieto-Guevara J. Brain abscess. Handb Clin Neurol. 2013;112:1127\u20131134."},{"issue":"5","key":"b2","series-title":"J Microbiol Immunol Infect","first-page":"405","article-title":"Microbiology and epidemiology of brain abscess and subdural empyema in a medical center: a 10-year experience","volume":"42","author":"Tsou TP","year":"2009","unstructured":"Tsou TP, Lee PI, Lu CY  Microbiology and epidemiology of brain abscess and subdural empyema in a medical center: a 10-year experience. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2009;42(5):405\u2013412."},{"key":"b3","series-title":"Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol","first-page":"111299","article-title":"Intracranial empyema complicating sinusitis in childhood: epidemiology, imaging findings and outcome","volume":"162","author":"Agouzoul S","year":"2022","unstructured":"Agouzoul S, Coelho J, Sagardoy T  Intracranial empyema complicating sinusitis in childhood: epidemiology, imaging findings and outcome. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2022;162:111299."},{"issue":"2","key":"b4","series-title":"J Neurosurg Pediatr","first-page":"231","article-title":"Changes in the epidemiology of pediatric sinogenic and otogenic intracranial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-institution study","volume":"32","author":"Angelo SJ","year":"2023","unstructured":"Angelo SJ, Anderson MG, Sutter PA  Changes in the epidemiology of pediatric sinogenic and otogenic intracranial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-institution study. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2023;32(2):231\u2013241."},{"issue":"4","key":"b5","series-title":"Childs Nerv Syst","first-page":"1221","article-title":"Intracranial complications of sinogenic and otogenic infections in children: an ESPN survey on their occurrence in the pre-COVID and post-COVID era","volume":"40","author":"Massimi L","year":"2024","unstructured":"Massimi L, Cinalli G, Frassanito P  Intracranial complications of sinogenic and otogenic infections in children: an ESPN survey on their occurrence in the pre-COVID and post-COVID era. Childs Nerv Syst. 2024;40(4):1221\u20131237."},{"issue":"31","key":"b6","series-title":"MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep","first-page":"1000","article-title":"Notes from the field: increase in pediatric intracranial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic\u2014eight pediatric hospitals, United States, March 2020\u2013March 2022","volume":"71","author":"Khuon D","year":"2022","unstructured":"Khuon D, Ogrin S, Engels J, Aldrich A, Olivero RM. Notes from the field: increase in pediatric intracranial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic\u2014eight pediatric hospitals, United States, March 2020\u2013March 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(31):1000\u20131001."},{"issue":"22","key":"b7","series-title":"MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep","first-page":"608","article-title":"Notes from the field: update on pediatric intracranial infections\u201419 states and the District of Columbia, January 2016\u2013March 2023","volume":"72","author":"Accorsi EK","year":"2023","unstructured":"Accorsi EK, Hall M, Hersh AL, Shah SS, Schrag SJ, Cohen AL. Notes from the field: update on pediatric intracranial infections\u201419 states and the District of Columbia, January 2016\u2013March 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72(22):608\u2013610."},{"issue":"2","key":"b8","series-title":"Microorganisms","first-page":"303","article-title":"Changes in etiology and clinical outcomes of pleural empyema during the COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"11","author":"Chan KF","year":"2023","unstructured":"Chan KF, Ma TF, Sridhar S, Lam DCL, Ip MSM, Ho PL. Changes in etiology and clinical outcomes of pleural empyema during the COVID-19 pandemic. Microorganisms. 2023;11(2):303."},{"key":"b9","article-title":"Australian Bureau of Statistics Data Explorer","unstructured":"Australian Bureau of Statistics Data Explorer. Accessed June 21, 2024.https:\/\/explore.data.abs.gov.au\/"},{"key":"b10","article-title":"Medicare item reports. Australian Government Services Australia; 2024","unstructured":"Medicare item reports. Australian Government Services Australia; 2024. Accessed June 21, 2024.http:\/\/medicarestatistics.humanservices.gov.au\/statistics\/mbs_item.jsp"},{"issue":"4","key":"b11","series-title":"Pediatr Neurosurg","first-page":"215","article-title":"Intracranial empyemas in the COVID-19 era: a new phenomenon? A paediatric case series and review of the literature","volume":"58","author":"Hall BJ","year":"2023","unstructured":"Hall BJ, Duddy JC, Apostolopoulou K  Intracranial empyemas in the COVID-19 era: a new phenomenon? A paediatric case series and review of the literature. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2023;58(4):215\u2013222."},{"issue":"5","key":"b12","series-title":"Rhinology","first-page":"357","article-title":"A surgical protocol for sinogenic brain abscess: the Oxford experience and a review of the literature","volume":"60","author":"Bandino F","year":"2022","unstructured":"Bandino F, Thota R, Pendolino AL  A surgical protocol for sinogenic brain abscess: the Oxford experience and a review of the literature. Rhinology. 2022;60(5):357\u2013367."},{"issue":"1","key":"b13","series-title":"Pediatr Neurosurg","first-page":"28","article-title":"The case for early antibiotic commencement and source control in paediatric subdural empyema: a single-centre retrospective case series","volume":"57","author":"Rasul FT","year":"2022","unstructured":"Rasul FT, Chari A, Iqbal MO  The case for early antibiotic commencement and source control in paediatric subdural empyema: a single-centre retrospective case series. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2022;57(1):28\u201334."},{"issue":"5","key":"b14","series-title":"Childs Nerv Syst","first-page":"1335","article-title":"Subdural empyema in immunocompetent pediatric patients with recent SARS-CoV-2 positivity: case report","volume":"39","author":"Yazar U","year":"2023","unstructured":"Yazar U, Ayd\u0131n ZGG, \u00d6zkaya AK, K\u0131r\u0131ml\u0131 K, G\u00fcvercin AR. Subdural empyema in immunocompetent pediatric patients with recent SARS-CoV-2 positivity: case report. Childs Nerv Syst. 2023;39(5):1335\u20131339."},{"key":"b15","article-title":"Brain Abscess and Empyema. Therapeutic Guidelines","unstructured":"Brain Abscess and Empyema. Therapeutic Guidelines. Accessed June 21, 2024.https:\/\/www.tg.org.au\/"},{"key":"b16","article-title":"WHO COVID-19 dashboard. World Health Organization 2023 Data","unstructured":"WHO COVID-19 dashboard. World Health Organization 2023 Data. Accessed June 21, 2024.https:\/\/data.who.int\/dashboards\/covid19\/about"}],"container-title":["Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/thejns.org\/view\/journals\/j-neurosurg-pediatr\/34\/5\/article-p489.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/thejns.org\/downloadpdf\/journals\/j-neurosurg-pediatr\/34\/5\/article-p489.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/thejns.org\/downloadpdf\/journals\/j-neurosurg-pediatr\/34\/5\/article-p489.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,6]],"date-time":"2024-12-06T08:08:51Z","timestamp":1733472531000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/thejns.org\/view\/journals\/j-neurosurg-pediatr\/34\/5\/article-p489.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,1]]},"references-count":16,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5"},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3171\/2024.6.peds24201","relation":{},"ISSN":["1933-0707","1933-0715"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1933-0707","type":"print"},{"value":"1933-0715","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,1]]}}}