Project description:BackgroundRuptured intracranial mycotic aneurysms have high morbidity and mortality and present unique surgical challenges because of vessel friability.[1] Flow-preserving strategies are needed for more proximal lesions that cannot be treated with vessel sacrifice.Case descriptionA 33-year-old man with no medical history who presented with fevers and peripheral septic emboli was found to have infective cardiac valve vegetations. He reported headaches and left arm weakness; an irregular 7 × 8 × 9 mm bilobed middle cerebral artery mycotic aneurysm involving multiple M3 branches with subarachnoid hemorrhage was found on cranial imaging. Multifocal and small intraparenchymal hemorrhages from septic emboli were also seen. Clip trapping and revascularization were recommended. A right frontotemporal craniectomy was performed, preserving the superficial temporal artery. After extradural exposure, a hole was drilled in the middle fossa floor lateral to the foramen ovale. The Sylvian fissure was split and the larger M3 branch was isolated. An endoscopically harvested saphenous vein graft was anastomosed to the cervical external carotid artery, tunneled through the middle fossa floor, and anastomosed end-to-side to the larger M3. The aneurysm was clip trapped and the involved smaller M3 was transected and anastomosed end-toend to the superficial temporal artery. Indocyanine green videoangiography confirmed patency of both bypasses. Postoperatively, the patient received antibiotics and a mitral valve replacement. He was neurologically intact on 1-month and 2-year follow-up.ConclusionAlthough technically demanding, tailored revascularization and clipping of ruptured mycotic cerebral aneurysms are a viable treatment option for these complex lesions.
Project description:ObjectiveInfrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) are localized arterial dilatations with distinct clinical outcomes. This study aimed to comprehensively compare these two types of aneurysms' biomechanical, histological, and immunohistochemical characteristics.MethodsThis study included 180 patients with AAA and 18 with PAA. Medical history and imaging data were collected. Biomechanical testing assessed arterial wall mechanical strength and elasticity, and histological and immunohistochemical analyses examined tissue composition and inflammatory markers.ResultsPAA wall fragments demonstrate higher failure strain energy (13.36 N/m2 vs 9.95 N/m2; P = .023), a measure of mechanical strength. Regarding immunohistochemical markers, AAA exhibited more B lymphocyte cells in the adventitia (CD20 1475.50 vs 320; P = .003) compared with PAA. Additionally, AAA demonstrated more adipogenic differentiation in the adventitia (PPARgamma 4854.50 vs 778; P = .009), whereas PAA showed more adipogenic differentiation in the intima (KLF5 283.50 vs 77.50; P = .039).ConclusionsPAA wall fragments demonstrate greater mechanical strength compared with AAA wall fragments. In contrast, AAA walls contain a greater number of B lymphocytes within the adventitia compared with PAA walls. Adipogenic differentiation is more pronounced in the adventitia of AAA than in PAA, whereas in PAA, it is more prominent in the intima compared with AAA.Clinical relevanceThe clinical significance of this study lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of the distinct pathophysiological mechanisms underlying abdominal aortic aneurysms, which is often associated with rupture, and popliteal artery aneurysms, which are more prone to thrombosis and distal embolization. By comprehensively comparing the biomechanical, histological, and immunohistochemical aspects of these two aneurysm types, the study aims to illuminate the factors contributing to their differing clinical presentations and outcomes.
Project description:Aneurisms of the splenic artery are rare clinical findings. Surgeons and interventional radiologists should co-operate in the management of this challenging disease; we describe here a surgical option.
Project description:Mycotic coronary artery aneurysms are rare but have a high risk of mortality. Traditional management is surgical, but percutaneous intervention can be performed in patients with high surgical risk. In this report, we describe a case of mycotic coronary aneurysm in a pediatric patient successfully managed with percutaneous coil embolization. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).
Project description:An 86-year-old woman was admitted for a ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm (rPAA, 26 × 28 mm). Due to the patient's age and comorbidities, emergency endovascular repair was performed. After the failed antegrade guidewire crossing, a retrograde approach from the anterior tibial artery and snaring was performed for lesion crossing, and stentgraft (5 × 50 mm) was deployed from antegrade fashion. At the 14-month follow-up, computed tomography angiogram demonstrated stentgraft patency and reduced aneurysmal size. Although open surgery remains the first-line treatment for infected rPAA, our approach adds to the evidence and can be applied to emergency cases or high-risk surgical patients.
Project description:IntroductionInfective endocarditis and mycotic tibioperoneal aneurysms are rare complications of COVID-19 infection. Medical therapy may not always be sufficient to reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with these cardiovascular complications. Surgical treatment may need to be considered in such patients.ReportA 56 year old male patient with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia developed severe pneumonia from COVID-19 infection. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at another facility where he was ventilated for a period of six weeks. Blood culture isolated coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and an echocardiogram showed a 1.4 × 1.5 cm mitral valve vegetation. He was treated for a period of 12 weeks with various antibiotic combinations including meropenem, levofloxacin, and teicoplanin with no improvement. On presentation at the current centre, he complained of painful right calf swelling. Computed tomography angiography showed a 7 cm right tibioperoneal trunk aneurysm. He underwent lung and cardiac assessment, following which it was decided to proceed with one stage synchronous surgery. Cardiac surgery was started through a median sternotomy and Guiraudon transeptal approach, with mitral valve replacement using a bioprosthesis (Edwards Magna, size 29). This was immediately followed by a medial lower limb approach with ligation of the aneurysm, followed by arterial reconstruction using a reversed saphenous vein graft from the superficial femoral artery to the posterior tibial artery. He was placed on intravenous vancomycin and ceftriaxone for a period of six weeks. He was discharged home after day 31 on 75 mg aspirin daily. At six month follow up, he was symptom free with a palpable posterior tibial pulse.DiscussionIncreased awareness and close surveillance are necessary for patients with severe COVID-19 infection. In those who develop unusual cardiovascular complications, one stage cardiac and vascular surgery may be feasible, as described in this case.
Project description:Introduction and importancePulmonary artery aneurysms are rare anomalies of the pulmonary vasculature. They are often asymptomatic and frequently an incidental finding on imaging or autopsy. It is imperative to closely monitor pulmonary artery aneurysms as they can result in sudden dissection, rupture, and death. Due to the rarity of this disease, the number of studies on pulmonary artery aneurysm management are limited and debated in the literature.Case presentationWe report a case of an initially symptomatic patient with dyspnea on exertion with an incidental finding of a large 5.0 × 6.4 cm pulmonary artery aneurysm that responded well to conservative management. Her dyspnea self-resolved and the decision was made to closely monitor the patient every three months with serial computed tomography angiography imaging.Clinical discussionIdiopathic aneurysms of the main pulmonary artery are rare with a poorly understood pathogenesis primarily due to the limited number of cases. There are no clear guidelines for management, but the least invasive approach should be used due to the risk of serious adverse events. Pharmacologic treatment of underlying comorbidities and serial computed tomography angiography imaging should be considered as conservative management.ConclusionSix months later, she remains hemodynamically stable and the aneurysm has decreased in size by 15%. This case highlights that conservative management should be considered first line therapy in asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable patients regardless of aneurysm size.