Right frontal lobe intracranial brain abscess associated with rare cardiac venous developmental anomaly: Implication of cardiac venous anomalies with right-left shunt

Abstract

We present the case of a woman initially found to have a brain abscess and subsequently found to have a rare developmental anomaly in the form of a duplicate superior vena cava with right-left shunt, as well as right upper and middle lobe partial anomalous pulmonary venous return draining into the right-sided superior vena cava. It is thought that this rare developmental anomaly predisposed this patient to develop this intracranial infection due to the opportunity for bacteria to bypass the pulmonary capillary system to reach the brain itself. The abscess was aspirated, and the patient was treated with antibiotics, eventually achieving recovery. This case emphasizes the importance of investigation into the etiology of an identified brain abscess as well as spotlights the need for continued research into patients with venous anomalies to determine potential ways to prevent intracranial infections.