Abdominal mycotic aortic aneurysm presenting as chronic constipation.

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Mycotic aneurysms are dangerous infections of blood vessels, often presenting with vague symptoms.
• Delayed diagnosis of mycotic aneurysms increases the risk of rupture and mortality.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be asymptomatic or present with nonspecific symptoms.

Observation:

• A case of abdominal mycotic aortic aneurysm presented atypically with 3 weeks of chronic constipation.
• The patient lacked typical symptoms like fever or abdominal pain.
• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was utilized for diagnosis.

Findings:

• POCUS successfully identified a silent abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• This case underscores the diagnostic challenge of mycotic aneurysms with atypical presentations.
• Early detection is crucial for preventing catastrophic rupture.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering rare presentations for mycotic aneurysms.
• Demonstrates the utility of point-of-care ultrasound in diagnosing abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• Suggests POCUS as a valuable tool for both initial detection and patient monitoring.