Recurrent Brain Abscess in a Child With Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

Brain abscesses are rare but life-threatening conditions associated with morbidity and mortality. They are encountered in unoperated and partially treated cyanotic congenital heart diseases. Our patient is a diagnosed case of transposition of great arteries with a ventricular septal defect. She had recurrent abscesses for which a combination of antimicrobial therapy and surgical excision was performed. Surgical excision carries a great risk of rupture of abscess into the ventricular system and is associated with poorer outcomes. The outcome of brain abscess primarily depends on Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) at the time of admission and ventricular extension of the abscess. Fortunately, our patient showed good results without any apparent neurological sequelae. Early diagnosis of the brain abscess and timely administration of antibiotics help in a good outcome.