Not just an aneurysm, but an infected one: a case report and literature.

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

A mycotic aneurysm is an infected aneurysm. The infection damages and weakens the blood vessel, accelerating a rapid growth of the aneurysm. Mycotic aneurysms are rare, but they have high mortality if diagnosis is delayed or missed. A case report is reviewed of a patient who had multiple aortic aneurysms that were discovered to be mycotic. This case report is followed by a general overview of mycotic aneurysm. Several retrospective studies that were published between 1997 and 2005 were reviewed to help the reader understand the patient population, risk factors, assessment, diagnosis, management, and long-term follow-up of patients with mycotic aneurysms.

PMID: 16504845 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]