Rol de las imágenes en la patología arterial no ateroesclerótica poco frecuente en el abdomen / Role of images in rare vascular pathology in the abdomen

Resumen La patología arterial no ateromatosa constituye un grupo de patologías poco frecuentes, pero de gran importancia debido a su morbilidad y mortalidad asociadas. La presentación clínica de estas entidades es inespecífica, por lo que el estudio inicial con imágenes es fundamental. Debido a esto, es muy importante reconocer los signos radiológicos característicos de cada una en las diversas modalidades imagenológicas para poder sospechar y orientar el diagnóstico.

Abstract Non-atheromatous arterial pathology constitutes a group of infrequent pathologies but of great importance due to their associated morbidity and mortality. In general, the clinical presentation of these pathologies is quite nonspecific, so the clinician decides to perform imaging studies thinking of more common entities. It is for this reason that it is very important to recognize characteristic radiological signs in the various imaging modalities to be able to suspect and orient a pathology of this kind.

Aneurisma de la aorta abdominal infectado por Campylobacter fetus: comunicación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura médica / Abdominal aortic aneurysm infected with Campylobacter fetus: case report and medical literature review

Resumen La infección es una complicación infrecuente de los aneurismas de la aorta abdominal. Campylobacter fetus tiene un especial tropismo por el endotelio vascular y ha sido reportado como causa de infección de aneurismas aórticos. Este tipo de infección es de alta mortalidad por lo que el reconocimiento temprano con el inicio precoz de terapia antibacteriana efectiva es clave. Además del tratamiento médico, puede requerirse cirugía, la que tiene una alta letalidad en pacientes inestables y con comorbilidades. Comunicamos el caso clínico de un adulto mayor con un aneurisma de aorta abdominal infectado por C. fetus. Dado su compromiso del estado general y antecedentes cardiovasculares se decidió tratamiento médico con imipenem, con una buena respuesta clínica y microbiológica, sin recurrencia de los síntomas. También se presenta una revisión de los casos publicados.

Abstract Infection is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Campylobacter fetus has special tropism for vascular endothelium. It has been reported as a cause of infected abdominal aortic aneurysms. The mortality of these patients is high, so an early recognition with a start of antibiotic therapy is crucial. In addition to medical treatment surgery may be required, which has high mortality in patients with many diseases and unstable. We report the case of an old man with infected abdominal aortic aneurysm with C. fetus, whom was decided to be treated with imipenem, due to his cardiovascular history and his general condition at admission. The patient showed a good clinical response without recurrence of symptoms. We also carry out a review of the reported cases.

Mycotic aneurysm due to Salmonella species: clinical experiences and review of the literature

The mortality of patients with mycotic aneurysms is high, especially in East Asia, and infection by Salmonella species is the most common. Our study aimed to improve prognosis of adult mycotic aneurysms with early diagnosis and accurate treatment. Four adult patients with mycotic aneurysm caused by Salmonella were included and analyzed by single-center retrospective analysis. Cases reported in the literature during the past 10 years were also summarized. The average age of the 4 male patients was 61.25 years, while that of the 53 cases reported in the literature was 65.13 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis were common complications. Most patients presented fever and experienced pain at the corresponding position of the aneurysm. Laboratory examination found an increased number of white blood cells accompanied by an increase in inflammatory markers. Most aneurysms were found in the abdominal aorta, while the rupture of an aneurysm was the most common complication. The mortality rates were 21.43 and 7.14% after open surgery or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) intervention, respectively. The recurrence rates of infection were 0 and 17.85% for both treatments, respectively. The mortality rate of mycotic aneurysm caused by Salmonella infection was high in middle-aged males with hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The possibility of a Salmonella-infected aneurysm should be considered in these high-risk groups presenting chills, fever, chest, and back pain. Open surgery was superior to EVAR treatment in the clearance of infected foci and the reduction of postoperative recurrence. The recurrence of postoperative infection can be prevented by intravenous antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks post-surgery.