Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm due to brucellosis: a rare case report

BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Jun 2;17(1):387. doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2485-7.

Abstract

Background: Arterial damage is a known complication of brucellosis, but the occurrence of a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to brucellosis has not been previously reported.

Case presentation: A 65-year-old Chinese man presented with a pseudoaneurysm in the descending segment of the thoracic aorta that caused symptoms of chest pain and intermittent fever. He was diagnosed with a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to brucellosis based on a positive brucella serology test (standard-tube agglutination test) and imaging examination (computed tomography angiography). Anti-brucellosis treatment and covered stent graft implantation were attempted to eliminate the brucellosis and pseudoaneurysm, respectively, and were ultimately successful, with no symptoms after 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusion: Endovascular repair may be effective and safe for treating a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm resulting from brucellosis.

Keywords: Brucellosis; Pseudoaneurysm; Stent implantation; Thoracic aorta.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / therapy*
  • Aorta, Thoracic
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm / etiology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / therapy
  • Brucella / pathogenicity
  • Brucellosis / complications*
  • Brucellosis / therapy
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Stents
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome