Background: Cerebral abscesses are rare, potentially life-threatening entities that result from local spread or hematogenous dissemination to the brain. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment is key in lowering morbidity and preventing mortality associated with cerebral abscesses. Congenital heart diseases with right-to-left intracardiac shunts can be complicated by brain abscesses via paradoxical embolism of infected microthrombi. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare congenital heart disease characterized by an underdeveloped left heart that uses intracardiac shunting to achieve adequate systemic circulation. We present the first reported case of a cerebral abscess in a patient with HLHS. The pathophysiology of HLHS and how it predisposes patients to development of cerebral abscesses is discussed.
Case description: A 25-year-old male was transferred to our institution complaining of headache, nausea, and vomiting. The patient was not an intravenous (IV) drug user, and serologic testing was negative for human immunodeficiency virus. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2.6-cm left occipital abscess, which was surgically resected without complication, and the patient was treated with IV antibiotics.
Conclusion: HLHS is a rare congenital cardiac malformation. The long-term outcome of patients with this condition continues to improve as treatment paradigms evolve. As such, patients with HLHS are living longer, and their potential to develop cerebral abscesses secondary to their unique systemic circulation is increasing with improved life expectancy. Surgeons and physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for cerebral abscess in the setting of HLHS.
Keywords: Brain abscess; Cerebral abscess; Congenital heart disease; Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
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