Brain abscess as an initial presentation in a patient of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia caused by a novel ENG mutation

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Feb 25:2013:bcr2013008802. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-008802.

Abstract

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare inherited autosomal-dominant vascular dysplasia involving multiple organs. Brain abscess is an uncommon and potential fatal complication. We report a case of HHT caused by a novel ENG mutation who initially presented as brain abscess. The patient, with a family history of epistaxis, presented with fever, headache and right-sided haemiparesis. Upon examination, brain MRI showed a contrast-enhanced abscess on the left fronto-parietal region. Open brain drainage was performed and pus culture yielded Actinomyces meyeri. The chest image revealed multiple pulmonary arterio-venous fistulas. HHT was diagnosed according to Curacao criteria. Genetic analysis revealed a novel duplication on exon 6 of ENG gene, which segregates with symptomatic subjects in her family. Clinicians should be cautiously aware of HHT as a differential diagnosis if patients presented with an unknown entry source of intracerebral infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinomyces / isolation & purification
  • Actinomycosis / diagnosis
  • Actinomycosis / etiology*
  • Actinomycosis / microbiology
  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / genetics*
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Brain Abscess / diagnosis
  • Brain Abscess / etiology*
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endoglin
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mutation*
  • Pedigree
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / complications
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / diagnosis
  • Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / genetics*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • ENG protein, human
  • Endoglin
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • DNA