A Copybook Multimodal Imaging in a Case of Aortic Root Abscess—Computed Tomography, Surgical, and Intraoperative Echocardiography Imaging

Abstract

Aortic root abscess formation is one of the most dangerous complications of infective endocarditis. It can occur in both native and prosthetic heart valves. Treatment includes a multidisciplinary team approach focusing on antibiotic coverage and adequate surgical treatment. The surgical repair is extremely challenging in these subset of patients due to fragile tissue and involvement of adjacent cardiac structures. We report a case of aortic root abscess where the preoperative computed tomography and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography imaging described the exact anatomical details and demarcated the extension of the abscess cavity which helped in a successful surgical repair