Anaemia secondary to Escherichia coli mycotic aneurysm

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Jan 28;14(1):e237997. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237997.

Abstract

Mycotic aneurysms can pose a diagnostic dilemma due to their variable presentations. We present a case of a 93-year-old man initially presenting with fevers, intermittent chest pain and normocytic anaemia refractory to repeated blood transfusions. He received intravenous ceftriaxone as Escherichia coli grew in his blood cultures. His chest X-ray showed a widened mediastinum. A subsequent CT of the chest discovered a mycotic aneurysm at the descending thoracic aorta. He had a good outcome and was thriving after 1 year post endovascular repair.

Keywords: infectious diseases; urinary tract infections; vascular surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / diagnosis*
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Aneurysm, Infected / complications
  • Aneurysm, Infected / diagnosis*
  • Aneurysm, Infected / drug therapy
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery
  • Bacteremia / complications
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Blood Culture
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Endovascular Procedures
  • Escherichia coli Infections / complications
  • Escherichia coli Infections / diagnosis*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / drug therapy
  • Fever
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed