Brain abscess in an adult with atrial septal defect.

Brain abscess is a serious complication of congenital heart disease in children and adolescents. This association is rarely observed in adults. This article describes the case of a 41-year-old man who presented with altered mental status. Brain MRI showed a brain abscess at the left frontal lobe. The patient was successfully treated with surgical removal and appropriate antibiotics. Echocardiographic examination showed atrial septal defect (ASD) with bidirectional shunt. Transcatheter closure of ASD was carried out 6 months after neurosurgical treatment. We discuss the association of brain abscess and ASD. Copyright 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.