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[Bacterial endocarditis. Unusual complications of acute diverticulitis]

G Mastrandrea1, R Petrone, C Sciumè

  • 1Dipartimento di Chirurgia Generale, d'Urgenza e dei Trapianti d'Organo, Università degli Studi di Palermo.

Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia
|January 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Colon diverticular disease can lead to serious complications like bacterial endocarditis, especially in elderly patients. Early suspicion and diagnosis of this rare complication are crucial for effective treatment following surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Colon diverticular disease is highly prevalent in Western countries, particularly affecting the elderly.
  • Complicated diverticulitis often requires surgical intervention, increasing the risk of post-operative complications.

Observation:

  • An elderly patient developed persistent fever post-surgery for acute diverticulitis and pelvic abscess.
  • Absence of abdominal or respiratory signs, despite fever resistant to antibiotics, prompted further investigation.

Findings:

  • Echocardiography confirmed bacterial endocarditis in a patient with post-operative fever.
  • This case highlights a rare but serious complication of acute complicated diverticulitis.

Implications:

  • Bacterial endocarditis should be suspected in post-septic surgery patients with unexplained fever.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management of endocarditis are vital, even when not commonly associated with the primary condition.
Abstract

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