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Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta in an eighteen-month-old child
J O Defraigne1, J P Paquot, E Creemers
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège, Hôpital de Bavière, Liège, Belgium.
Insights
A rare infected abdominal aortic aneurysm in an 18-month-old child was successfully treated with a Gore-Tex graft. This case highlights infection as a cause of pediatric arterial aneurysms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Vascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Aortovascular Pathology
Background:
- Arterial aneurysms are rare in children.
- Infection is a potential, though uncommon, etiology for pediatric arterial aneurysms.
- Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Observation:
- An 18-month-old child presented with an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
- The aneurysm, measuring 6 cm, was discovered incidentally during hospitalization for pneumonia.
- Imaging revealed occlusion of the right common iliac artery by the AAA.
Findings:
- The infected AAA was surgically treated using a 6 mm Gore-Tex graft.
- Pathological examination confirmed a leukocytic infiltrate and Gram-positive organisms within the aneurysmal wall.
- The graft successfully restored arterial continuity.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering infectious etiologies in pediatric arterial aneurysms.
- Prompt surgical management can effectively treat infected AAAs in pediatric patients.
- Further research into the specific pathogens and risk factors for pediatric infected aneurysms is warranted.
Abstract:
We report the case of an infected aneurysm of the abdominal aorta in a 18 month-old child, discovered by routine palpation of the abdomen during hospitalization for pneumonia. Ultrasonography and arteriography showed a 6 cm aneurysm of the abdominal aorta beginning distal to the renal arteries which occluded the right common iliac artery. The aneurysm was treated by interposing a 6 mm Gore-Tex graft between the infrarenal aorta and the aortic bifurcation. Pathologic examination of the aneurysmal wall demonstrated a leukocytic infiltrate and the presence of encapsulated Gram positive organisms. Arterial aneurysms are exceedingly rare in children. Their etiology is varied: infection, connective tissue disease, trauma, inflammatory arterial disease or other rare diseases such as tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, or Behçet's disease.