Background: Cerebral abscess is a recognised complication of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) that allow systemic venous blood to bypass the pulmonary capillary bed through anatomic right-to-left shunts. Broader implications and mechanisms remain poorly explored. Methods: Between June 2005 and December 2016, at a single institution, 445 consecutive adult patients with CT-scan confirmed PAVMs (including 403 (90.5%) with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia) were recruited to a prospective series. Multivariate logistic regression, and detailed peri-abscess histories were evaluated to identify potential associations with cerebral abscess. Rates were compared to an earlier non-overlapping series. Results: Thirty-seven (8.3%) of the 445 patients experienced a cerebral abscesses at median age 50 (range 19-76) years. The rate adjusted for ascertainment bias was 27/435 (6.2%). 29/37 (78.4%) abscess patients had no PAVM diagnosis prior to their abscess, a rate unchanged from earlier UK series. 21/37 (56.7%) suffered residual neurological deficits, most commonly memory/cognition impairment; hemiparesis, and visual defects. Isolation of periodontal microbes, and precipitating dental and other interventional events emphasised potential sources of endovascular inoculations. In multivariate logistic regression, cerebral abscess was associated with low oxygen saturation (indicating greater right-to-left shunting); higher transferrin iron saturation index; intravenous iron use for anemia (adjusted odds ratio 5.4 [95% confidence intervals 1.4, 21.1]); male gender; and venous thromboemboli. There were no relationships with anatomic attributes of PAVMs, or red cell indices often increased due to secondary polycythemia. Conclusions: Greater appreciation of the risk of cerebral abscess in undiagnosed PAVMs is required. Lower SaO2 and intravenous iron may be modifiable risk factors.