Giant Brain Abscess in A Pediatric Patient with Congenital Heart Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Cerebral abscesses, or brain abscesses, are a severe condition, can be fatal, and have a high mortality and morbidity rate; especially in children with congenital heart disease. Herein, we report on a 5-year old girl, who developed a giant brain abscess with congenital heart disease; however, regrettably, the patient died 24 hours after her operation. Brain abscesses are still a major consequence of cyanotic congenital heart disease. The development of radiological imaging; especially, computed tomography scans, and continuous updates on antibiotic therapy and minor invasive surgery have decreased the mortality rate; however, it still remains quite high. Brain abscesses in congenital heart disease have many pitfalls, and require a multidisciplinary approach as well as careful preoperative planning to achieve the desired outcome.