[Cerebral embolism revealing aneurysm of the interauricular septum].

BACKGROUND

Aneurysm of the interatrial septum is a potential cause of systemic embolism, but it is rarely responsible for a cerebral embolism in childhood.

CASE REPORT: A girl, aged 14 years, presented with a sudden right hemiplegia. The coagulation factors were normal, as was the CSF. The CT scan was normal and the EEG showed some theta waves (3-4/s) on the left temporal lobe. MRI, performed 6 days later, showed ischemic lesions leading to a search for the origin of the embolism. One-dimensional echocardiography revealed no abnormality, but two-dimensional echocardiography showed an aneurysm of the interatrial septum bulging into the right atrium. The child was treated with low doses of acetylsalicylic acid, but still had a moderate degree of spastic hemiplegia one year later.

CONCLUSION

Cardiopathies can be among the causes of cerebral embolism in children. An aneurysm of the interatrial septum requires treatment throughout patient's life.