Pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta presenting as purulent pericarditis and pericardial effusion

Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn. 1998 Jan;43(1):63-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0304(199801)43:1<63::aid-ccd19>3.0.co;2-u.

Abstract

Report of a case of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta occurring in the absence of surgical or blunt trauma in a patient who presented with purulent pericarditis. Surgical pericardial drainage was required, which revealed Staphlococcal aureus. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a 4 cm x 4 cm pseudoaneurysm of the posterior wall of the aorta above the sinotubular junction. The patient refused surgical correction of the aortic pseudoaneurysm and was successfully managed with antibiotic therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, False / complications*
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / therapy
  • Aneurysm, Infected / therapy*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / therapy
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pericardial Effusion / etiology*
  • Pericarditis / etiology*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections / therapy