[Infected Brachiocephalic Arterial Aneurysm Involving Ascending Aorta:Report of a Case].

Abstract

The infected brachiocephalic arterial aneurysm is a very rare but highly lethal, life-threatening, and difficult-to-treat condition. We report a case of infected brachiocephalic arterial aneurysm involving ascending aorta. An 81-year-old woman with a history of colon diverticulitis was referred to our hospital because of infected brachiocephalic aneurysm. Emergent operation was performed because the aneurysm grew rapidly. The aneurysm was excised, extra-anatomical grafting was performed with a prosthetic vascular graft and the ascending aorta was repaired with bovine pericardium patch. The aortic infection was successfully cured postoperatively, but she died of peritonitis. Due to the rarity, history-taking and physical examination should be thorough, and symptoms and signs should be closely analyzed.