Mycotic aneurysm of the hepatic artery is a known complication of bacterial endocarditis. However, obstructive jaundice due to this lesion is rare [1]. We describe a case in which a mycotic aneurysm of the hepatic artery ruptured, forming a pseudoaneurysm of the right anteroinfenior branch which caused obstructive jaundice. Case Report A 17-year-old nonaddicted black male was admitted to Cook County Hospital because of muscular tenderness, fever, and progressive lethargy. There had been blunt trauma to his right calf 3 weeks earlier followed by swelling and tenderness. On physical examination a low-grade systolic murmur was heard at the apex in the left fifth intercostal space. Numerous hemorrhagic spots were found in the skin, the conjunctivas, and the fundus of the right eye. Cenebrospinal fluid, urine, and blood cultures grew coagulasepositive Staphylococcus aureus, and therapy was started with oxacillin. Echocandiognaphy and cardioangiography revealed mitral insufficiency, aontic valve vegetations, and an aneurysm of the left ventricle. The patient did not respond well to treatment, and during the seventh week of hospitalization abdominal pain and progressive jaundice developed. Total and direct serum bilirubin levels were 8.2/100 ml and 5.1/100 ml, respectively; alkaline phosphatase was 1,606 lU. Rose bengal scan showed findings compatible with obstructive jaundice, and technetium liver scan disclosed prominent ponta hepatis and an area of decreased uptake in the night lobe. Hepatic and splenic angiography demonstrated aneurysmal dilatation of the right and left hepatic arteries, with a large pseudoaneurysm of the right antenoinfenion branch (fig. 1) causing compression and upward displacement of the portal vein. A small aneurysm was seen at the hilus of the spleen.
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