Brain Abscess Secondary to Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation: A Rare Complication

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are rare vascular anomalies characterized by abnormal connections between a pulmonary artery and vein, bypassing the capillary bed. Most patients remain asymptomatic, but right-to-left shunts allow septic or non-septic emboli to enter systemic circulation, leading to serious central nervous system complications. We report a case of a middle-aged woman with a brain abscess of initially unknown origin, in whom a solitary pulmonary arteriovenous malformation was incidentally detected on thoracic computed tomography. Although brain abscesses secondary to pulmonary arteriovenous malformation are very uncommon, this case underlines the importance of considering pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in patients with cryptogenic brain abscess.