Pathogenesis of An Intracranial Mycotic Aneurysm in An Immunocompromised Patient

Abstract

Mycotic intracranial aneurysms are rare entities that can be rapidly fatal. The pathology of these lesions are usually due to bacterial infections however in exceptional cases such as immunocompromise, fungal agents are also found to be the cause. In this study, we present the case of a 43-year old, immunocompromised, male patient who suffered from a ruptured mycotic aneurysm after undergoing surgical evacuation of a basal ganglia brain abscess. Pathological analysis of the lesion showed that Aspergillus fumigatis was the causative agent. Since these types of lesions are rare, there are few clinical guidelines for treatment. We emphasize that in an immunocompromised patient with sudden neurological deterioration, mycotic intracranial aneurysm should be in the differential diagnosis.