Mycotic aneurysm is a type of aneurysm related to an inflammatory process in the vessel wall, however, it does not refer to a specific pathogenic cause, but rather to an acute inflammatory response to a pathogenic infection that induces neutrophilic infiltration in the vessel wall, leading to the activation of enzymes that favor the weakening of this wall and consequent aneurysm formation [1]. Clinically, it manifests with symptoms of systemic infection or symptoms localized to the site of the affected artery. Most patients present with fever and sepsis. In the case of mycotic aortic aneurysm, the usual manifestation is chest and interscapular pain [2]. Due to its often-nonspecific clinical presentation, its diagnosis becomes challenging. Therefore, knowledge of the imaging patterns of this pathology is of paramount importance so that the diagnosis can be made and the correct treatment can be carried out as quickly as possible, thus improving the patient’s prognosis.
References
[1]
Zhang, N., Xiong, W., Li, Y., Mao, Q., Xu, S., Zhu, J., et al. (2021) Imaging Features of Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms. Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery, 11, 2861-2878. https://doi.org/10.21037/qims-20-941
[2]
Lee, W., Mossop, P.J., Little, A.F., Fitt, G.J., Vrazas, J.I., Hoang, J.K., et al. (2008) Infected (Mycotic) Aneurysms: Spectrum of Imaging Appearances and Management. RadioGraphics, 28, 1853-1868. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.287085054
[3]
Marín Oviedo, C., Cruz Cerpa, R. and Cassorla Jaime, G. (2024) Mycotic Aneurysm in Descending Thoracic Aorta: Emergency Endovascular Resolution. Angiología, 76, 254-257. https://doi.org/10.20960/angiologia.00597
[4]
Puppala, S., Cuthbert, G.A., Tingerides, C., Russell, D.A. and McPherson, S.J. (2020) Endovascular Management of Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms—A 20-Year Experience from a Single UK Centre. Clinical Radiology, 75, 712.e13-712.e21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crad.2020.05.019
[5]
Wang, T.K.M., Griffin, B., Cremer, P., Shrestha, N., Gordon, S., Pettersson, G., et al. (2020) Diagnostic Utility of CT and MRI for Mycotic Aneurysms: A Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Roentgenology, 215, 1257-1266. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.19.22722
[6]
Lee, J. (2007) Radiological Imaging of Aortic Aneurysms. Korean Circulation Journal, 37, 337-347. https://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2007.37.8.337