Suprarenal mycotic aneurysm exclusion using a stent with a partial autologous covering

To report a combined endovascular and open technique to manage a suprarenal mycotic aortic aneurysm using a stent-graft partially covered with a section of autologous artery.

A 50-year-old was hospitalized for staphylococcal septicemia and severe back pain. A previously diagnosed 3-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm was found to have expanded 2 cm in 3 weeks. Aortography documented some periaortic thickening and 2 mycotic aneurysms, one posterior at the level of the superior mesenteric artery and the second at the aortic bifurcation. After intensive antibiotic therapy, an endovascular approach to exclude the suprarenal mycotic aneurysm was undertaken in tandem with surgical excision of the infrarenal aneurysm. The harvested right common iliac artery was used to partially cover a Palmaz stent, which was deployed under direct vision just above the renal artery ostia so that the covered portion of the stent excluded the aneurysm. A right axillofemoral bypass with a femorofemoral bypass completed the revascularization. Postoperatively, the patient developed renal failure, ischemic colitis necessitating a left hemicolectomy, and paraplegia. Although the patient is paralyzed, the aneurysm remains excluded with patent visceral vessels at 12 months following surgery. No organisms were grown from excised aortic tissue, and no signs of recurrent infection have been seen.

Stent-graft repair may be able to lessen the invasiveness and reduce the morbidity associated with treatment of mycotic aortic aneurysms.