[Postoperative infection of an epigastric hematoma caused by Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria].
METHODS
A 52-year-old man with a gastric signet-ring cell carcinoma but without acute symptoms was admitted for reconstructive surgery of the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
Before the present surgery all functional and radiological tests merely confirmed the previously known disease. Except for mild anemia and abnormal electrolytes all laboratory tests were within normal limits. COURSE, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: The patient underwent reconstructive surgery of the gastrointestinal tract, namely an ascending sigmoidostomy and resection of an enterocutaneous fistula. For a few days the postoperative development was as expected and the drain, placed during surgery, was removed at the expected time. 9 days postoperatively the patient developed signs of an infection (fever up to 38.8 degrees C, increased WBC and raised C-reactive protein levels). Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed an epigastric tumor measuring 6 x 5 cm. CT-guided needle aspiration of this lesion showed macroscopic signs of an infected hematoma. A pigtail catheter was successfully implanted for continuous drainage. Both the fluids obtained from CT-guided aspiration and the pigtail drain grew Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria when cultured on standard blood agar. Administration of both cefotaxim and metronidazole for 10 days produced a decrease in the inflammatory parameters. The abdominal CT at that time showed a noticeable regression of the epigastric mass so that the patient was discharged from hospital 3 weeks after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
This case emphasizes the importance of adequately dosed antibiotic therapy, also for unusual bacteria such as species of Aeromonas.
Bomke
A-K
AK
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Virologie und Hygiene, Abteilung Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Krankenhaushygiene, Universität Rostock. anne-kathrin.bomke@med.uni-rostock.de
Feyerherd
P
P
Podbielski
A
A
D000333:Aeromonas / Q000254:growth & development*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D002439:Cefotaxime