Physical Therapy Management of a 31-year-old Male with Acute Encephalopathy and Subsequent Subdural Empyema, a Case Report
Location
Lions Eye Center
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2025 1:30 PM
Description
Introduction: This case report showcases the role physical therapy (PT) played during the rehabilitation of a 31-year-old diagnosed with Acute Encephalopathy (AE) and Subdural Empyema (SE). AE is a condition that leads to altered brain function, while SE is an infection between the dura matter and arachnoid matter. Symptoms of each can include confusion, seizures, fever, headache, and focal neurological deficits. The patient presented to the hospital with altered mental status, fever, confusion, and lethargy, causing deficits to his mobility and cognitive status. Purpose: To determine how effective PT rehabilitation is when treating a patient with AE and SE by examining outcome measures, plan of care, intervention, and results of treatment. Methods: PT diagnoses included bilateral lower extremity strength, balance, and endurance deficits with altered mental status. A care plan established visits at once a day for 30 minutes utilizing massed and distributed practice to develop his strength, endurance, and transfers. The Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) was used every session. Results: Strength and endurance were found to improve by assistance levels measured with the FSS-ICU. Improvements were noted with the FSS-ICU by discharge with increases in independence with all sections, though ambulation remained limited. Ambulation was improved by the end of his plan of care, but at a lower degree of independence when compared to the other tasks. Discussion: This case showcases the importance of physical therapy when rehabilitating a patient with conditions that require alterations to the typical patterns of physical therapy treatment. Further research could help find improvements in treatment for patients with AE or SE so that physical therapists can administer efficient care.
Recommended Citation
Dexter, Sebastian, "Physical Therapy Management of a 31-year-old Male with Acute Encephalopathy and Subsequent Subdural Empyema, a Case Report" (2025). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 6.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2025/posters/6
Physical Therapy Management of a 31-year-old Male with Acute Encephalopathy and Subsequent Subdural Empyema, a Case Report
Lions Eye Center
Introduction: This case report showcases the role physical therapy (PT) played during the rehabilitation of a 31-year-old diagnosed with Acute Encephalopathy (AE) and Subdural Empyema (SE). AE is a condition that leads to altered brain function, while SE is an infection between the dura matter and arachnoid matter. Symptoms of each can include confusion, seizures, fever, headache, and focal neurological deficits. The patient presented to the hospital with altered mental status, fever, confusion, and lethargy, causing deficits to his mobility and cognitive status. Purpose: To determine how effective PT rehabilitation is when treating a patient with AE and SE by examining outcome measures, plan of care, intervention, and results of treatment. Methods: PT diagnoses included bilateral lower extremity strength, balance, and endurance deficits with altered mental status. A care plan established visits at once a day for 30 minutes utilizing massed and distributed practice to develop his strength, endurance, and transfers. The Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) was used every session. Results: Strength and endurance were found to improve by assistance levels measured with the FSS-ICU. Improvements were noted with the FSS-ICU by discharge with increases in independence with all sections, though ambulation remained limited. Ambulation was improved by the end of his plan of care, but at a lower degree of independence when compared to the other tasks. Discussion: This case showcases the importance of physical therapy when rehabilitating a patient with conditions that require alterations to the typical patterns of physical therapy treatment. Further research could help find improvements in treatment for patients with AE or SE so that physical therapists can administer efficient care.