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A rare complication of cyanotic CHD: brain abscess

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 July 2025

Ali Nazım Güzelbağ Open the ORCID record for Ali Nazım Güzelbağ [Opens in a new window] ,
Buruç Erkan ,
İsa Özyılmaz ,
Muhammet Hamza Halil Toprak Open the ORCID record for Muhammet Hamza Halil Toprak [Opens in a new window]  and
Erkut Öztürk Open the ORCID record for Erkut Öztürk [Opens in a new window]
Ali Nazım Güzelbağ*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saglik Bilimleri University Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Buruç Erkan
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Saglik Bilimleri University Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
İsa Özyılmaz
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saglik Bilimleri University Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Muhammet Hamza Halil Toprak
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saglik Bilimleri University Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Erkut Öztürk
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saglik Bilimleri University Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
*
Corresponding author: Ali Nazım Güzelbağ; Email: anguzelbag@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

Brain abscess is a rare but life-threatening complication in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD), especially in those without prior corrective surgery.

Methods:

We report the case of a 36-year-old woman with unoperated cyanotic CHD who presented with neurological deficits. Diagnostic evaluation included cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results:

Imaging revealed a brain abscess. Contributing factors included chronic hypoxia, polycythaemia, and right-to-left shunting facilitating systemic circulation of infectious agents. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage.

Conclusions:

This case highlights the elevated risk of brain abscess in uncorrected cyanotic CHD and underlines the importance of early recognition and timely management to avoid fatal outcomes.

Keywords

Cyanotic congenital heart diseasesDORV (double outlet right ventricle)brain abscess

Information

Type
Case Report
Information
Cardiology in the Young , First View , pp. 1 - 5
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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