Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques (Jun 2018)

A rare case of Clostridium septicum aortitis with colon adenocarcinoma

  • Niti Shahi, MD,
  • Mariano Arosemena, MD,
  • Jeontaik Kwon, MD,
  • Paul DiMuzio, MD,
  • Babak Abai, MD,
  • Dawn M. Salvatore, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 2
pp. 87 – 90

Abstract

Read online

Clostridium septicum aortitis is a rare, highly morbid condition typically accompanied by malignant disease, such as hematologic cancer or colon adenocarcinoma. Presenting symptoms commonly described include acute onset of abdominal pain, nausea, and fevers. Prompt diagnosis of infectious aortitis is critical to prevent deadly complications, such as sepsis and vascular catastrophe. The described management largely involves surgical resection of the infected aorta, débridement, and arterial revascularization through extra-anatomic bypass or aortic graft placement.