Infectious Endocarditis Presenting as Intracranial Hemorrhage in a Patient Admitted for Lumbar Radiculopathy. (18th September 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kahn, David Ethan; O'Phelan, Kristine; Bullock, Ross
• Other Names: Park W. S. Academic Editor.; Roosens C. D. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in critical care. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-09-18
• Subjects: Critical care medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Medical emergencies -- Periodicals; 616.02805
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/428729
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6420

Abstract

Abstract : Infectious endocarditis is frequently found in the neurologic intensive care unit and may rarely be the cause of intracranial hemorrhage. In such instances, further diagnostic imaging to search for an underlying structural lesion is prudent. Well-known causes of these hemorrhages include cardioembolism with hemorrhagic transformation, septic emboli, and mycotic aneurysms. We present a case of a patient who was admitted for routine evaluation and pain management of lumbar radiculopathy, who developed a large intraparenchymal hemorrhage and was found to have bacterial endocarditis. This was diagnosed retrospectively from positive hematoma cultures and a vegetation on transesophageal echocardiogram. Further evaluation revealed a mycotic aneurysm.