Infected Aneurysms in Thai Patients: Computed Tomography Findings

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the CT characteristics of infected aortic and visceral aneurysms and evaluate

the difference between Salmonella and non-Salmonella infections by radiography.

Materials and Methods: Records of patients with surgical and/or pathologicalimicrobiologic proof of of of

infected aortic aneurysm collected over a 5-year period were reviewed. Computed tomography (CT).

demographics and clinical data were studied. Twenty-eight aneurysms were found in 24 patients including

18 men and 6 women between the age of 35-78 years (mean = 63.29 years), The size, shape and location

of aneurysm, aortic wall calcification, gas, and periaortic findings were evaluated.

Results: Aneurysms were located in the thoracoabdominal aorta (n=1: 4.2%), juxtarenal aorta (n=7;

29.2%). infrarenal aorta (n=13: 54.296), superior mesenteric artery (n=1: 4.296), and llac arteries (n=2;

83%). One patient had 2 infected aortic aneurysms and one patient had 4 infected aortic aneurysms. All

28 aneurysms were saccular with a mean diameter of 42 + 2.4 cm (range, 0.6-10.4 cm). Paraaortic

stranding, and/or fluid retention was present in 28 aneurysms (100%), paraaortic soft tissue mass in 21

aneurysms (7576), enhancing irregular wal thickening in 19 aneurysms (67.996), disruption of calcition

in the aortic wall in 13 aneurysms (46.496), and perianeurysmal gas in 5 aneurysms (20.8%), Other fings

included ryptured/ concealed ruptured aneurysm (n=9, 32.196), adiacent vertebral body erosion/osteomy-

elitis (n=5. 20.8%), renal abscess (n=1. 4.8%) and psoas abscess (n=3, 14.3%).

Conclusion: Saccular aneurysms especially those with adjacent stranding/fluid, and mass were highly

suspicious of infection. Perianeurysmal gas and patients with relatively older age were found more common

in salmonella infection than those with non-salmonella infection. Whereas, mutiple aneurysms were more

common in non-salmonella infection.