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

Shuai Wang,Yang Zhang,Zhihua Cheng,Xiwei Sun,Qi Wang,Han Liu,Zhongying Wang,Siqiao Sun

doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2485-7

Shuai Wang, Yang Zhang + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2485-7

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Abstract

BackgroundArterial damage is a known complication of brucellosis, but the occurrence of a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to brucellosis has not been previously reported.Case presentationA 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.ConclusionEndovascular repair may be effective and safe for treating a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm resulting from brucellosis.

Highlights

BackgroundBrucellosis is a zoonotic infection that most commonly occurs in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and East Asian countries
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
We describe a rare case of a brucellosis-induced thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm and discuss the treatment procedure applied for this patient

Summary

Background

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that most commonly occurs in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and East Asian countries. Humans become infected with the disease through ingestion of contaminated milk products or meat or through direct contact via the mucous membranes. Certain professions, such as breeder, butcher, dairyman, and kitchen employee, are associated with an increased risk of contracting the disease [2]. The main clinical presentations include undulant fever, night sweats, and joint pain in the acute stage [3]. These symptoms as well as joint damage, tendon contracture,. The patient presented with low-grade fever with normal blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm. Additional imaging examination via computed tomography angiography (CTA, (Fig. 1) revealed the formation of a pseudoaneurysm with a

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