Pontine abscess with initial treatment failure following infectious endocarditis with Streptococcus salivarius

We present a case report of a 65-year-old man admitted to the department of infectious diseases on suspicion of meningitis with headache, fever and double vision. A cerebral MRI revealed a 17×30 mm pontine abscess with surrounding oedema. The patient had, 2 months prior to admission, been treated for Streptococcus salivarius aortic valve endocarditis. The abscess was not suitable for surgery, and the patient received multidrug antibiotic treatment for 4 weeks. The patient initially responded well clinically, but was readmitted 4 weeks after discontinuation of treatment, with headache and dizziness. A new cerebral MRI showed progression of the abscess. He received an additional 8 weeks of broad spectrum antibiotic treatment, followed by 12 weeks of oral treatment with pivampicillin. His symptoms resolved and a cerebral MRI at discontinuation of treatment showed regression of the abscess to 7.5 mm.