Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), or Osler–Weber–Rendu disease, affects
multiple organ systems. Brain abscess is a potential complication, and this disease
carries a high mortality. In the setting of HHT the abscess most likely results from
paradoxical septic emboli or bacterial seeding of an ischemic portion of the brain
after paradoxical sterile emboli. Brain abscess is the diagnosis that must be ruled
out in patients with HHT presenting with new onset neurologic symptoms. The clinician
can be misled by seemingly benign and nonspecific symptoms, signs, and laboratory
test results. Appropriate diagnostic imaging with computed tomography or magnetic
resonance imaging of the head is mandatory. We present a case of brain abscess in
a patient with HHT presenting to the Emergency Department. The review of the literature
deals with the pathophysiology and manifestations of HHT with particular focus on
the pathologic and clinical features, and management of cerebral abscess in this setting.
Differences between patients with brain abscess with or without HHT are highlighted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 16,
2000
Received in revised form:
September 22,
2000
Received:
April 14,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
