Rupture of a nonaneurysmal abdominal aorta due to spondylitis.
Contiguous arterial infections are extremely rare, and their actual rate of occurrence is not known. These infections occur as a result of direct invasion of an artery from an adjacent septic focus. Reaching the diagnosis of infected aorta is very difficult when there are contiguous infections from spondylitis or psoas abscess, because the clinical features are nonspecific. Although computed tomography is the most useful diagnostic tool in the detection of aortic infections, the most frequent findings mimic those of other diseases, such as retroperitoneal fibrosis, lymphoma, and periaortic lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis becomes even more challenging when an infected aorta is of normal diameter. Herein, we report the case of a 64-year-old man who experienced nonaneurysmal abdominal aortic rupture due to spondylitis and psoas abscess. Despite appropriate surgical management, the patient later died. We review the relevant medical literature and examine specific considerations that surround the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.
Posacioglu
Hakan
H
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ege University Medical Faculty, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey. posacioglu@yahoo.com
Islamoglu
Fatih
F
Apaydin
Anil Z
AZ
Ozturk
Nur
N
Oguz
Emrah
E
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D003646:Debridement; D004322:Drainage; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D016659:Psoas Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents