Percutaneous PFO closure for the prevention of recurrent brain abscess.
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) can act as a conduit between the venous and arterial circulations, allowing right-to-left shunting and bypass of the pulmonary circulation. Brain abscess may develop as a result of paradoxical embolism of organisms through a PFO. In this small series, we report on the closure of PFO for the prevention of recurrent brain abscess. Only prospective, randomized trials comparing PFO closure to conservative therapy could provide a definitive answer as to the optimal strategy for preventing recurrent cerebral abscess.
LaBarbera
Matthew
M
Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. mp1215@med.nyu.edu
Berkowitz
M Joshua
MJ
Shah
Alan
A
Slater
James
J
D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D034367:Streptococcus intermedius / Q000472:pathogenicity*