Endocardial abscesses in children: case report and review of the literature

Clin Infect Dis. 1999 Dec;29(6):1478-82. doi: 10.1086/313510.

Abstract

The rarity of perivalvular abscesses arising as a complication of bacterial endocarditis in the pediatric population limits its recognition and awareness of its often malignant course. The diagnosis depends on a combination of clinical criteria, including persistent fever and bacteremia, the presence of an atrioventricular block and persistent embolic phenomenon, and transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiographic confirmation. Because of the infrequency of perivalvular abscesses in children, there is no consensus on a treatment strategy. Early detection and intervention with antibiotics and surgical debridement are recommended to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. A case of a 14-year-old boy with an aortic root abscess is presented, along with review of other cases reported in the last 20 years in children in relation to risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis, therapy, and mortality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Abscess / pathology*
  • Abscess / therapy
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Valve / microbiology
  • Aortic Valve / surgery
  • Child
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / pathology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Staphylococcal Infections / pathology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / therapy
  • Staphylococcus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification
  • Vancomycin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Vancomycin