Rare mycotic aneurysms of internal jugular vein and innominate vein secondary to untreated parapharyngeal abscess: A case report

Successful endovascular stenting of a bleeding external iliac vein mycotic aneurysm in an oncologic patient: a case report

BACKGROUND

Mycotic aneurysms are rare vascular lesions, occurring in 0.6-2% of arterial aneurysms but with no reported venous cases. Venous aneurysms unrelated to an underlying infectious process have been previously described and are typically surgically repaired due to risk of thromboembolic events.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case reports a bleeding external iliac vein mycotic aneurysm secondary to erosion of a chronic pelvic abscess, successfully treated with endovascular stenting, in an oncologic patient without alternative therapeutic options.

CONCLUSION

Venous aneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions which have historically been treated with open surgical repair. Given the lower degree of procedural morbidity, endovascular management of these lesions may be an effective option in the appropriate setting, particularly as a last resort in patients without surgical treatment options.

Life threatening abscess in the visceral space with penicillin and metronidazole resistant Prevotella Denticola following use of a laryngeal mask airway: case report

Background

Laryngeal mask airways (LMA) are commonly used for airway management. Complications with this device are rare. However, when they do occur, there is a high risk for respiratory problems, necessitating early diagnosis and treatment. We present the first case of a life-threatening abscess spreading in the visceral space caused by a penicillin and metronidazole resistant Prevotella Denticola after the use of an LMA.

Case presentation

A female patient was admitted to our day care centre for bunion surgery. A single use LMA size 3 (Solus®, intersurgical, Wokingham, Berkshire, United Kingdom) was successfully inserted. After surgery, the patient complained of a sore throat and amoxicillin was prescribed by the general practitioner. Three days after surgery the patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for obstructive breathing, due to an abscess in the visceral space. Retropharyngeal and certainly parapharyngeal abscesses in adults are already rare. This case however, is unique because it is the first case of abscess spreading into the visceral space after the use of an LMA. Amoxicillin/clavulanate and vancomycin were started. The abscess was incised 5 days later and microbiology showed 3 positive cultures of the anaerobe Prevotella denticola, resistant for penicillin and metronidazole, but sensitive for amoxicillin/clavulanate. The patient fully recovered.

Conclusion

LMA’s are easy to use and are established, safe tools to support ventilation of the airway. In this case, the authors hypothesise a small wound in the lateral pharyngeal wall probably created an opening into the visceral space causing infection with Prevotella denticola, supporting the idea that the pharyngeal mucosal space must be part of the visceral space. Additionally, early recognition and treatment of an LMA induced abscess is necessary to prevent evolution of complications leading to airway obstruction.

Azygos Vein Aneurysm with Thrombosis and Aspergillus fumigatus Diagnosed Using Bronchoscopy: Case Report

BACKGROUND The venous system of the posterior thoracic wall merges into a single trunk called the azygos vein, located in the posterior mediastinum, before draining into the superior vena cava. An aneurysm in the azygos vein is extremely rare. Such aneurysms are discovered as incidental radiology findings or while investigating a mediastinal mass. Visualization via bronchoscopy is atypical. CASE REPORT An 86-year-old female patient presented to the Emergency Department with a 5-day complaint of dyspnea and chest pain. She was admitted because of worsening condition leading to respiratory failure and paresthesias. She underwent endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilatory support. A chest X-ray showed a thickened mediastinum, tortuous thoracic aorta, and bilateral perihilar infiltrate with right predominance. Bronchoscopy revealed bleeding along the right bronchus and a blue protrusion coated with white material at the entrance of the main right bronchus. A pulmonary computed tomography angiography confirmed the presence of an azygos vein dilatation. Culture of bronchoalveolar lavage revealed Aspergillus fumigatus. CONCLUSIONS Bronchoscopy as a diagnostic method allows clinicians to verify the state and permeability of the airways during investigation of azygos vein aneurysms, which are rare entities but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses and may be complicated by fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus fumigatus mostly in immunocompromised patients.

Middle cerebral artery infarction following common carotid compression due to a multiloculated parapharyngeal abscess

Deep neck space infections (DNSIs) include retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses. We report a rare complication of left-sided middle cerebral artery infarction precipitated by left common carotid artery compression secondary to a multiloculated parapharyngeal abscess. A 59-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes was admitted following a loss of consciousness. Examination demonstrated unilateral right-sided hemiparesis and computed tomography (CT) of the brain revealed an acute left-sided frontoparietal infarct. The patient had been complaining of a fever, left-sided ear redness and pain six days prior. Unfortunately, despite antibiotics in the community, her ear pain worsened to involve her left jaw. Closer examination revealed a swelling in her left submandibular region and a CT of her neck was performed, revealing a multiloculated left parapharyngeal abscess with evidence of left common carotid compression. A naso-pharyngo-laryngoscopy (NPLS) was performed to confirm the presence of an abscess. Owing to the size and complex location of the abscess, management via a prolonged antibiotic treatment was opted for over surgical intervention. After completion there was improvement in medical state and resolution on repeat NPLS. Vascular-related complications are rare following DNSI. Carotid artery compression has been reported, although current literature suggests it to be a benign phenomenon. Our case is the first reported instance of a parapharyngeal abscess with severe neurological complications, reminding physicians that such complications following a DNSI remain possible. Although rare, in the event of a cerebrovascular accident and sepsis, DNSI remains a possible cause to be considered.

Incidental diagnosis of a silent brachiocephalic vein aneurysm and its surgical treatment

Brachiocephalic vein aneurysm is an extremely rare clinical entity, with a limited number of case reports in the literature. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with a left brachiocephalic vein aneurysm (3 × 3 × 6.5 cm) that was discovered fortuitously by contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography. Surgical intervention was performed simultaneously during tricuspid valve surgery with coronary artery bypass grafting. This paper discusses the details of our case, the surgical treatment of brachiocephalic vein aneurysms, and the different treatment options.