Implications of Clostridium septicum in Vascular Surgery: A Case Report and Outcomes Literature Review

Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Aug:43:314.e5-314.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2017.03.178. Epub 2017 May 4.

Abstract

Clostridium septicum is a rare organism, accounting for approximately 1.3% of clostridial infections and is associated with synchronous colonic malignancy. This case report describes a patient successfully treated for a mycotic aortic aneurysm secondary to C. septicum bacteremia. Subsequent evaluation confirmed a colonic malignancy, prompting early intervention. A systematic literature review revealing a rate of gastrointestinal malignancy in this patient population is 71%, and hematologic malignancy is 3.9%, with the remaining cohort of patients having an unknown source. Infectious involvement of the aorta and associated vascular structures portends a poor prognosis with a 57% mortality rate. Our case and updated review demonstrates the implications of C. septicum vascular seeding and subsequent treatment outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / microbiology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneurysm, Infected / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, Infected / microbiology
  • Aneurysm, Infected / surgery*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / microbiology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery*
  • Aortography / methods
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Clostridium Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Clostridium Infections / microbiology
  • Clostridium Infections / surgery*
  • Clostridium septicum / isolation & purification*
  • Colectomy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Colonic Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Colonoscopy
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents