A Conservative Approach to a Large Mycotic Pulmonary Pseudoaneurysm

Pulmonary mycotic pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of bacteremia with high associated mortality. We present a case of a large proximal pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm as a result of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, originating from a tunneled dialysis catheter infection. This case was ultimately managed conservatively with surveillance imaging and a prolonged intravenous antibiotic course, rather than with surgical or interventional management. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a mycotic pulmonary pseudoaneurysm due to septic embolization of an infected superior vena cava thrombus.

Rapidly expanding aortic root mycotic pseudoaneurysm with outflow tract fistula

We present a 50-year-old patient with chronic Stanford type-A aortic dissection, infective endocarditis, and rapidly expanding peri-aortic myocytic pseudoaneurysm with LVOT fistula. This case highlights the role of multimodality imaging in pathoanatomically complex-case evaluation.

947 Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm Of the Common Carotid Artery: A Rare Neck Lump

Mycotic pseudoaneurysms are rare, potentially fatal arterial wall infections of either fungal or bacterial origin. The estimated incidence is 20 cases/decade. Trauma is the commonest cause and in 25% the cause remains unknown. A 62-year-old man presented with a three-week history of a non-tender enlarging neck lump associated with hoarseness of voice. He was apyrexial with no stridor nor dysphagia. The lump measured 10x10cm at levels II-III on the left side of the neck with no overlying erythema. After normal oral examination, flexible nasendoscopy revealed a left-sided pharyngeal swelling occluding 25% of the airway. He was commenced on intravenous antibiotics and steroids. A contrast enhanced CT demonstrated a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the left common carotid artery (CCA) with a linear foreign body exiting the oesophagus. He underwent emergency surgery with the vascular team to excise 3cm of unhealthy CCA with long saphenous vein graft repair. Neck exploration and panendoscopy found no further defects including no foreign body. He made an excellent recovery and is awaiting an injection thyroplasty to manage his complete left vocal cord palsy. Although rare, vascular injury and subsequent pseudoaneurysm is an important differential and should always be considered in those presenting with neck swelling.

Subclavian artery aneurysm: a rare cause of massive haemoptysis

A 35-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit with massive haemoptysis. CT of the chest revealed a necrotic right upper lobe mass. Angiography of his thoracic vasculature revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the right subclavian artery with active contrast extravasation. This anatomic deformity was stented and coiled with the assistance of interventional radiology. Bronchoscopy with lavage and brushings of the right upper lobe mass revealed fungal hyphae and positive galactomannan, supporting that the patient developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis leading to a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the right subclavian artery followed by massive haemoptysis.

Mycotic (Infected) Pseudoaneurysm, a Diagnostic Challenge – Case Series

Mycotic pseudoaneurysm (or infected pseudoaneurysm) is an infectious arteritis, leading to the destruction of the arterial wall with the formation of a blind, saccular outpouching contiguous with the arterial lumen. Delayed management or non-management of mycotic pseudoaneurysms is associated with high morbidity and mortality due to complications such as arterial rupture, hemorrhage, and fulminant sepsis. Earlier diagnosis of mycotic pseudoaneurysm is essential for time management. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a widely used imaging modality for detecting the mycotic pseudoaneurysm, its characterization, and vascular mapping. MDCT findings of mycotic pseudoaneurysm are blind, saccular outpouching of an artery with irregular arterial wall, perivascular soft-tissue mass, or edema. Uncommon results of MDCT include arterial lumen thrombosis, arterial wall calcification, and perivascular gas. Management of mycotic pseudoaneurysm includes endovascular stenting with graft repair, endovascular embolization, open surgery, medical therapy (intravenous antibiotics), or a combination of these. We report three cases of mycotic pseudoaneurysm affecting aortic isthmus, a segmental branch of the pulmonary artery, and the internal mammary artery. All cases posed a diagnostic challenge, which only on subsequent imaging revealed to be a mycotic pseudoaneurysm.