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Low threshold for intracranial imaging in fever of unknown origin associated with cyanotic heart disease in the pediatric population

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Abstract

Intracranial abscess in the pediatric population is an overall rare occurrence—4 in a million. The most common predisposing factor is underlying cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), which is associated with ~ 30% of all cases. We present an unusual case of cerebral abscess in a 17-month-old female with partially treated Tetralogy of Fallot and fever of unknown origin without associated neurologic symptoms. We propose a low threshold for intracranial imaging as part of the fever of unknown origin work-up in children with underlying cyanotic congenital heart disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA

    Myron Rolle

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA

    Katie P. Fehnel

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  1. Myron Rolle
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  2. Katie P. Fehnel
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Correspondence to Katie P. Fehnel.

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Rolle, M., Fehnel, K.P. Low threshold for intracranial imaging in fever of unknown origin associated with cyanotic heart disease in the pediatric population. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 335–338 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04696-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04696-2

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