Brain abscess as a complication of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension - a rare case report

A brain abscess is a life threatening condition which can occur as a complication of various clinical conditions. An intra-cerebral abscess which occurs as a complication of pulmonary arterial hypertension is extremely rare. The present report has described such an uncommon case of an intra-cerebral abscess in a chronic pulmonary thrombo embolism patient with pulmonary hypertension. A-34-year old male who was a known case of chronic pulmonary thrombo embolism with pulmonary artery hypertension, who was diagnosed 6 months back, presented to the Out Patients Department (OPD) with headache and vomiting. He had right homonymous hemianopia. Contrast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of brain showed a peripherally enhancing lesion in the left temporo-occipital lobe, with oedema and a mass effect. Left parieto-occipital craniotomy and excision of the abscess was done. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the aspirated pus.