Cerebral Abscess following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke: Report of a Case and Review of Literature

Cerebral infections have been reported after endovascular interventions such as embolization and coiling. Such complications are extremely rare and only one other case has been reported in a patient who underwent an endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke. We report a 32-year-old woman, who presented to our hospital with headaches lasting four weeks after an endovascular intervention for ischemic stroke via mechanical thrombectomy. Further investigations revealed a cerebral abscess in the area of the infarct. She was effectively treated with antibiotics in combination with stereotactic drainage and was discharged after she made a good recovery. A review of literature on cerebral abscesses after minimally invasive procedures such as endovascular intervention was also done and is being presented in this paper. A cerebral abscess can occur rarely after endovascular interventions. A high degree of suspicion is important in identifying patients with an abscess and appropriate treatment can prevent significant morbidity or even death.