Brain Abscess as a Complication of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Case Report

Abstract

An 18-year-old male, previously diagnosed with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), presented to the outpatient department with a complaint of generalized seizures and fever for the past five days. He had a history of recurrent epistaxis, progressive shortness of breath, and cyanosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed an abscess in the temporoparietal region. A computed angiogram of the pulmonary vasculature showed the presence of arteriovenous malformation (AVM). A four-weekly antibiotic regimen was initiated, which resulted in a profound improvement in symptoms. A brain abscess can arise as a complication of vascular malformation in a patient with HHT, providing a nidus for bacteria to migrate toward the brain. Early recognition of HHT is essential in these patients and their affected family members, as screening can help us prevent complications at an earlier stage.