An 82-year-old Japanese woman presented with a fever and back pain. Computed tomography revealed a thoracic aortic aneurysm with periaortic gas (Picture 1) and a mass lesion in the ascending colon (Picture 2). Clostridium septicum growth was observed on blood culture, confirming infected aortic aneurysm. After 14 days of intravenous antimicrobial administration, we performed aortic replacement surgery. We also identified ascending colon cancer by colonoscopy (Picture 3) and performed laparoscopic ascending colon resection. She fully recovered from the infection after undergoing antibiotic suppressive therapy. C. septicum causes infected aortic aneurysms, which are associated with high mortality and malignancy. The 6-month mortality rate of C. septicum-infected aortic aneurysms is 79.5-100% (1,2). Malignancies have been reported as bacterial infection sources previously in 82.5% of patients with C. septicum-infected aortic aneurysms (1). Aggressive surgical interventions against infected aortic aneurysms and cancer are thus essential for a favorable outcome.
Picture 1.
Picture 2.
Picture 3.
The authors state that they have no Conflict of Interest (COI).
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank the physicians, nurses, and clinical staff of Aso Iizuka Hospital for the high standard of care provided to the patient.
References
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