Successful treatment of an Intracranial Epidural Abscess (IEA) usually requires a combination of a drainage procedure and antibiotic therapy. Neurosurgical drainage is most commonly performed via burr holes or a craniotomy. If the dura is macerated or breached, a graft or other occlusive approach may be applied.

Sinus-related IEA in children may be managed without neurosurgical procedures if there is adequate sinus drainage (by a surgical or endoscopic drainage procedure) and minimal mass effect from the abscess. This was illustrated in a study of eight children that compared a neurosurgical drainage procedure to sinus drainage without an intracranial procedure