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Mycotic aneurysm. an unusual cause of pyrexia of unknown origin in an immunodeficient infant

Faiz Uddin Ahmad1, Harsh Mahajan, Ashok Kumar Mahapatra

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Pediatric Neurosurgery
|May 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are rare, especially mycotic aneurysms causing fever. This case highlights a 9-month-old with a basilar artery aneurysm presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Intracranial aneurysms are uncommon in early childhood.
  • Mycotic aneurysms are rarely reported as a cause of pyrexia of unknown origin.
  • Immunodeficiency can predispose to serious infections.

Observation:

  • A 9-month-old immunodeficient male infant presented with a history of neonatal irregular fever.
  • The infant developed subarachnoid hemorrhage.
  • A basilar artery top aneurysm was identified.

Findings:

  • The case represents a rare occurrence of a mycotic aneurysm in an infant.
  • The aneurysm presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, a critical neurological event.
  • The patient's immunodeficiency likely contributed to the development of the mycotic aneurysm.

Implications:

  • This case expands the differential diagnosis for pyrexia of unknown origin and subarachnoid hemorrhage in infants.
  • Early diagnosis and prompt management are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric intracranial aneurysms.
  • Further research into the management of pediatric mycotic aneurysms is warranted.

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