Infective endocarditis complicated by cerebral abscess and mycotic intracranial aneurysm: A case report

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE), is an infection of the endocardial surfaces of the heart, which primarily affects the valve leaflets, the mural endocardium, chordae tendinae and prosthetic valves among others. IE has various complications among which neurological complications include stroke, infected intracranial aneurysms, intracranial abscesses, meningitis, encephalopathy and seizures which could prove fatal if not treated on time. We report a case of a 17 year old girl, who was a known case of bacterial endocarditis that presented with sudden onset deterioration of mental status, fever and dizziness. On CT scan imaging of the brain, the patient showed features of intracranial abscess and mycotic aneurysm. Since early detection, diagnosis and timely management is crucial for the prognosis of the patient, we should always opt for timely imaging in patients of infective endocarditis with neurological symptoms.

Keywords

• Infective endocarditis
• Mycotic aneurysm
• Intracranial abscess
• Neurological complications
• Contrast CT head