Artículo de revista
Septic embolism: the importance of an adequate clinical approach: a case report, Bogota, Colombia
Date
2016-06Author
Clavijo Prado, Carlos Andrés
Hernández Reina, Leonardo Fabio
Gicale Adarna, Leilane
Abstract
Neurological complications of infectious endocarditis have a high prevalence globally
and its clinical presentation remains a clinical challenge.
A previously healthy 36-year old male presented at the emergency room with
persistent fever and headache. The patient was referred to Neurology section after
initial diagnostics and treatment. They detected abnormal skin lesions and cardiac
murmur. Based on the presentation and abnormal physical examination findings,
their impression was an embolic process with infectious etiology prompting medical
treatment. Patient was concomitantly referred to Cardiology section and infective
endocarditis was confirmed by echocardiogram. Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) confirmed an ischemic embolic process. Successful surgical treatment followed.
This highlights the importance of good clinical history and physical examination as
the cornerstone of diagnosis, even for the clinically challenging cases. Good clinical
approach and appropriate use of imaging technology greatly benefited the patient by
allowing early diagnosis and treatment hence prevention of further complications.