title: Gonococcal ascending aortitis with penetrating ulcers and intraluminal thrombus.
abstract: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an uncommon pathogen causing bacterial aortitis. We describe a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve and known ascending aortic aneurysm who presented with fever and chest pain. Imaging demonstrated complex penetrating ulcers in the proximal ascending aorta. The patient underwent a modified Bentall procedure, resection of the ulcers, and ascending aortic reconstruction. Pathologic examination and culture of the aortic specimens revealed the infectious cause.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: J Susie
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Rabkin
authors.forename: Nahush A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mokadam
authors.forename: Mara H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rendi
authors.forename: Gabriel S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Aldea
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001025:Aortitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology