Conservative treatment of non-aneurysmal infectious aortitis: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Non-aneurysmal infectious aortitis is a rare clinical entity with most often lethal complications when surgical intervention is delayed.

Objectives: This report describes the case of a non-aneurysmal infectious aortitis complicated with a penetrating aortic ulcer in an elderly woman, caused by a methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Surgery was deemed contra-indicated and treatment was limited to the administration of intravenous vancomycin (2 grams daily), followed by flucloxacillin (6 times 2 grams daily). She remains well after one year.

Methods: The Internet databases Medline and Embase were searched. Articles were selected based on relevanceof abstract, article type and impact of the journal.

Results: A literature review addresses current insights in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of non-aneurysmal infectious aortitis.

Keywords:

• Aortitis
• infectious
• non-aneurysmal
• elderly
• pseudoaneurysm

Acknowledgment

We thank doctor Paul De Munter for his advice during preparation of the manuscript.