Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are rare and often asymptomatic vascular anomalies that can be associated with serious neurological consequences due to right-to-left shunting. We report a case of a woman in her 80s without substantial medical history who presented with a headache, weakness and personality changes, and was found to have a pyogenic brain abscess requiring emergent neurosurgical evacuation. The abscess grew oral flora, suspected to have reached the brain via an incidentally discovered PAVM. With drainage and antibiotics, the patient achieved a full recovery and the PAVM was embolised. To our knowledge, this is the oldest presentation of a PAVM-associated brain abscess in the published literature. Older patients may present without the typical signs and symptoms of a given illness, which complicates accurate diagnosis and treatment. Primary care physicians can help facilitate timely care and positive clinical outcomes.