Infected aortic and iliac aneurysms:Clinical manifestations in the emergency departments of two hospitals in southern Taiwan,China

BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis of infected aortic and iliac aneurysms is often delayed, hampering timely treatment and potentially resulting in a fatal consequence. The aim of this study was to discover useful clinical features that can help physicians to identify these patients.METHODS: We reviewed the discharge notes from two hospitals and identifi ed all patients who had a diagnosis of infected aneurysms of the thoracoabdominal aorta and iliac arteries between July 2009 and December 2013. Eighteen patients, aged from 41 to 93, were reviewed. Only 6 patients were diagnosed accurately in their fi rst visit to our ED.RESULTS: Most patients had at least one underlying illness, and it took 1 to 30(9.9±6.5) days for physicians to diagnose their infected aneurysm. Localized pain and fever were the two most commonly presented symptoms. The majority(92%) of isolated microorganisms were gram-negative bacilli, including Salmonella spp, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. Two of the 3 patients who underwent non-operative therapy died, and all of the patients who underwent a combination of medical and operative therapies survived.CONCLUSION: We suggest that physicians liberally use computed tomography scans on patients with unknown causes of pain and inflammatory processes. A combination of surgical and medical treatments is indicated for all patients with infected aortic and iliac aneurysms.

Infected Iliac Artery Aneurysm Concomitant with Liver Abscess Caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum

We report a case of infected iliac artery aneurysm concomitant with liver abscesses caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum. A 58-year-old man developed an aneurysm of the right common iliac artery and liver abscesses. The aneurysm was resected and a femoro-femoral crossover bypass with a knitted Dacron graft was performed for impending rupture. Anaerobic cultures obtained from blood and intramural thrombus were positive for Fusobacterium nucleatum. With antibiotics, the liver abscesses disappeared without drainage. Iliopsoas abscesses developed after surgery, but it was controlled with antibiotics. The patient was free of infection 1 year after the surgery. The causative bacterium was suspected to originate in the oral cavity, because the patient had a notable history of poor chronic periodontal conditions. Clinically, infected aortoiliac aneurysm complicated by Fusobacterium is extremely rare relative to the prevalence of the pathogenic bacterium. However, it is noteworthy that Fusobacterium can cause this condition.

Unusual cause of hemorrhagic pleural effusion:A case report

BACKGROUND Infected aortic aneurysms are uncommon and difficult to treat.We present a case of infected aortic aneurysm with recurrent nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old gentleman presented with non-specific symptoms and was found to have nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia and was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone.However his condition did not improve,and he developed a multiloculated right pleural effusion.Thoracocentesis was done to drain hemorrhagic pleural fluid.Chest computed tomography demonstrated descending thoracic aorta saccular aneurysm with periaortic hematoma likely due to recent bleed and extending to the right pleural cavity.He was referred to cardiothoracic surgery team and was planned for medical therapy in view of hemodynamic stability and no evidence of active leakage.He completed intravenous antibiotic for 5 wk and refused surgical intervention.Unfortunately,he was admitted twice for recurrent nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia.Finally,he agreed for surgical intervention and underwent endovascular aortic repair 3 mo later.Postoperatively,his condition remained stable with no recurrence of infection.CONCLUSION Our case highlights the importance of high index of suspicion of infected aortic aneurysm in patients with Salmonella bacteremia with high-risk factors such as atherosclerosis.