J Clin Neurol.  2014 Jan;10(1):55-58.

Novel Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Associated with Brain Abscess

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Cardiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. anishkoka@mandalkoka.com
  • 2Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • 3Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Right-to-left vascular shunts are associated with brain abscess.
CASE REPORT
We present a 47-year-old female with a cryptogenic left thalamic abscess on which Streptococcus mitis grew upon aspiration. Computed tomography of the chest with contrast agent revealed an anomalous connection between the left superior pulmonary and brachiocephalic veins. A right-to-left shunt was confirmed in a transthoracic echocardiogram study in which bubbles were injected into the left arm; this shunt had not previously been noted upon right-arm injection.
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend aggressive evaluation for right-to-left shunts in patients who present with cryptogenic brain abscesses. In addition to imaging, this should include a bubble-based study with left-arm saline injection.

Keyword

cryptogenic; brain abscess; pulmonary shunt

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Arm
Brachiocephalic Veins
Brain Abscess*
Brain*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Streptococcus mitis
Thorax

Figure

  • Fig. 1 A: Computed tomography angiogram of the chest. Arrow indicates an anomalous pulmonary venous connection. B: 3-D false-color reconstruction of panel A. Arrow indicates an anomalous pulmonary venous connection. C: Postcontrast T1-weighted transverse MRI scan with rim-enhanced left-side lesion. D: Postcontrast T1-weighted sagittal MRI scan with rim-enhanced left-side lesion. E: 2-D echocardiogram obtained during left-side injection of agitated normal saline.


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