Aortic root abscess complicating bacterial endocarditis. Demonstration by computed tomography.
A 68 year old man with an aortic valve prosthesis was admitted to hospital with Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis. Despite antibiotic treatment he continued to be pyrexial. Computed tomography identified a probable abscess between the root of the aorta and the left atrium. The presence of an abscess in this location was subsequently confirmed at operation. Computed tomography is a useful additional diagnostic method for identifying this potentially lethal complication of bacterial endocarditis.
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001021:Aortic Valve; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed