Mycotic aortic aneurysms: characteristic macroscopic findings in a case series

Figures & data

Figure 1. Illustrations of pre-operative imaging findings with corresponding macroscopic aspect of mycotic aortic aneurysms (‘typical’ coin-sized lesions of the inner aortic wall) and representative histopathological images of a mycotic aorta specimen. (A) Transverse CTA image with saccular aneurysm (aortic arch level) and (B) shows the resected part with typical coin-sized hole in the aortic wall. (C) H&E-stained section shows transmural acute inflammation, in addition to atherosclerotic changes; and (D) Elastica van Gieson staining demonstrates the medial disruption. CTA: computed tomography angiography.

Table 1. Patient characteristics.

Case	Age	Gender	Tissue cultures	Number of aneurysm(s)	Type of surgery	Total duration of antibiotic therapy
1	66	Female	Staphylococcus aureus	4	Interposition graft Th2–5 and interposition graft Th12 to bifurcation	7 months
2	66	Male	Salmonella species	2	Interposition graft Th11 to suprarenal	26 months
3	62	Female	Streptococcus agalactiae	4	Three interposition grafts: subclavian to Th5, Th8–11 and infrarenal to bifurcation	3 months
4	75	Female	Cutibacterium acnes	4	Interposition graft Th6 to 3 cm above aortic bifurcation	6 weeks
5	68	Male	Staphylococcus aureus	1	Ascending aorta and 2/3 arch replacement	3 months
6	70	Female	Negative (Gram stain: polymicrobial flora)	1	Interposition graft from distal aortic arch to Th4	14 months
7	48	Female	Salmonella species	1	Ascending aorta and 3/4 arch replacement	12 months
8	61	Male	Staphylococcus aureus	1	Excision of aneurysm and patch repair	6 weeks
9	75	Female	Staphylococcus aureus	1	Supra coronary aortic replacement	6 weeks
10	67	Female	Coxiella burnetii (PCR)	1	Supra coronary aortic replacement + total arch and mitral valve replacement	3 months

PCR: polymerase chain reaction; Th: thoracic.

Data availability statement

Not applicable.