Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) complicated by pulmonary arteriovenous fistula and brain abscess.

A man who developed two brain abscesses was later found to have hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Brain abscess is a known complication of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. About 15% of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia develop such a fistula during their lives. Surgical resection of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas is recommended because of the risk of severe neurological sequelae.