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[The Therapeutic Dilemma in Treatment of Intracranial Infectious Aneurysm in Patients with Infective Endocarditis:
S Leuenhagen1, L Burghaus2, J Kukolja1
1Uniklinik Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Köln.
Insights
Intracranial infectious aneurysms, a rare complication of infective endocarditis, lack evidence-based treatment guidelines. This case highlights the critical interdisciplinary challenges and proposes a patient-centered approach for managing these hazardous conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Intracranial infectious aneurysms are rare but life-threatening complications of infective endocarditis.
- Current treatment strategies lack evidence-based recommendations, posing an interdisciplinary challenge.
Observation:
- A case of a 23-year-old drug-addicted woman with Streptococcus mitis infective endocarditis and a basilar artery aneurysm rupture is presented.
- Antibiotic therapy stabilized the endocarditis but was followed by fatal aneurysm rupture.
Findings:
- The case illustrates the complex decision-making process in managing infectious endocarditis with intracranial infectious aneurysms.
- Treatment options including conservative, neurosurgical, endovascular, and cardiosurgical interventions carry significant risks.
Implications:
- A patient-centered, interdisciplinary treatment concept is proposed for managing intracranial infectious aneurysms.
- Improved management strategies are needed to address the high morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.
Abstract:
Intracranial infectious aneurysms are rare but hazardous complications of an infective endocarditis. To date, there are no evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with this condition. Therefore, it remains an interdisciplinary challenge to decide which treatment steps are required and in which order they should be carried out. To illustrate the interdisciplinary dilemma in the treatment of these patients, we here present a case of a 23-year-old, drug-addicted woman with infectious endocarditis. While antibiotic treatment of the streptococcus-mitis-induced endocarditis stabilized the overall status of the patient, rupture of a basilar artery aneurysm caused her sudden death. We discuss the decision-making processes of the treatment, potential difficulties and dilemmas when dealing with patients suffering from infectious endocarditis and infectious intracranial aneurysm. Based upon case reports, studies and reviews, we present the options and risks of conservative, neurosurgical, endovascular, and cardiosurgical treatment of intracranial infectious aneurysms, and propose a patient-centered, interdisciplinary treatment concept.
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