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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

A New Murine Model of Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Published on: July 7, 2013
Endovascular management of a mycotic group A streptococcal abdominal aortic dissection
John Colville1, Manmohan Madan2, Khalid Bashaeb1
1Radiology, Royal Oldham Hospital, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Oldham, UK.
Abstract:
Pyrexia of unknown origin can represent a great diagnostic difficulty to clinicians. We present a case of pyrexia with abdominal and back pain, in which blood cultures performed demonstrated group A haemolytic streptococcus. Having recently been abroad, the patient was investigated to find a source. CT scans performed subsequently demonstrated an inflammatory infrarenal abdominal aortic dissection. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and underwent endovascular repair. This case details the unusual presentation of spontaneous abdominal aortic dissection and its management by endovascular means. Emphasis is placed on the often clandestine manner of presentation of this condition and the importance of awareness in the investigating clinician. This case presents a patient infected with group A haemolytic streptococcus, leading to aortitis and spontaneous dissection, previously unreported in the literature.
Insights
A rare case of spontaneous abdominal aortic dissection caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus infection is presented. This unusual presentation highlights the importance of considering infectious causes for aortic emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Pyrexia of unknown origin presents diagnostic challenges.
- Group A hemolytic streptococcus is an uncommon cause of serious infections.
Observation:
- A patient presented with fever, abdominal, and back pain.
- Blood cultures revealed group A hemolytic streptococcus.
- CT scans identified an inflammatory infrarenal abdominal aortic dissection.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with spontaneous abdominal aortic dissection secondary to group A hemolytic streptococcus infection.
- This represents a previously unreported association in medical literature.
- Successful treatment involved intravenous antibiotics and endovascular repair.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering infectious etiologies in aortic dissections.
- Emphasizes the need for clinician awareness regarding unusual presentations of aortic emergencies.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of endovascular repair in managing complex aortic dissections.
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