Brain abscesses in a patient with a patent foramen ovale: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Brain abscesses arising from right-to-left cardiac shunting are very rare in adults.


METHODS
We describe the case of a 47-year-old non-hispanic white male with periodontal disease who developed several brain abscesses caused by Streptococcus intermedius. A comprehensive workup revealed a patent foramen ovale with oral flora as the only plausible explanation for the brain abscesses.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on this case and the relevant literature, we suggest an association between a silent patent foramen ovale, paradoxical microbial dissemination to the brain, and the development of brain abscesses.
Jan
Fuad
F
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Milwaukee Clinical Campus, North 12th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, USA.
Hafiz
Abdul Moiz
AM
Gupta
Saurabh
S
Meidl
John
J
Allaqaband
Suhail
S