Late infection of a Dacron carotid endarterectomy patch--a case report

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Late-onset infections after carotid endarterectomy pose significant challenges.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) neck infections present a complex management scenario.
• Elderly patients with comorbidities and no drainable abscesses require alternative treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of successful nonsurgical management of a late MRSA neck infection.
• To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic therapy in resolving a deep neck phlegmon post-carotid endarterectomy.
• To explore conservative treatment options for high-risk patients unsuitable for surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case report detailing the clinical course of a patient with a late MRSA neck infection.
• Intravenous (IV) and oral antibiotic therapy initiated as the primary treatment modality.
• Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans of the neck to assess treatment response.

Main Results:

• Complete resolution of the neck phlegmon was documented via CT scan.
• The patient remained free of local infection two years post-diagnosis and nonoperative treatment.
• No surgical intervention or drainage was required.

Conclusions:

• Nonsurgical management with antibiotics can be effective for late MRSA neck infections in select high-risk patients.
• Conservative treatment may obviate the need for invasive procedures in complex cases.
• Further research is needed to establish long-term outcomes for this management approach.