[Cerebral abscess as first manifestation of a familial pulmonary arteriovenous fistula].

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in a 63-year-old woman with no relevant medical history presented with neurological symptoms secondary to multiple polymicrobial abscesses. As a result of this finding, relatives were examined under suspicion of the presence of systemic angiomatosis (hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease), which is asymptomatic in many victims. Follow-up and early diagnosis is crucial to preventing severe neurological complications by treatment of arteriovenous malformations and antibiotic prophylaxis during dental or other invasive procedures.